Masters in Finance Salaries

There is no one salary range that can be assigned to this collegiate degree. In most cases the degree is a MBA with a specialization in Finance because that's how the graduate programs in finance are managed at most universities. The MBA is one of the most versatile graduate degrees available, and the major in finance is generally the most popular choice at most business schools. Those universities that offer a Masters in Finance independent of the business degree usually include relevant business classes in the curriculum as well, so there are job options on many fronts for an individual who has completed a Masters in Finance, whether it has a MBA attached or not. Our list of jobs and salary ranges is taken from some of the more common job titles that align with this degree and this level of education in the business world and the public sector.

Personal Financial Advisor: Middle income people moving towards retirement are increasingly engaging professional help to watch over their retirement investments. It's a growing financial services area; many financial professionals who engage in personal finance consultation also acquire the licenses to sell insurance and securities, providing a full set of services for clients who need to diversify or should have additional insurance protection. There is also a certification program for experienced practitioners offered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. According to the US Department of Labor Statistics the median salary for this job is $68,200.
Insurance Underwriter: Professionals in this field with a Masters in Finance have the qualifications to work in corporate insurance, where the pay scale is much healthier than those who are working in consumer insurance. Risk management for business insurance requires a level of expertise commensurate with the level of risk, or financial exposure, that an insurance institution is undertaking. While salaries for professionals with an undergraduate degree are in the $65,000 range, the pay rates for professionals working with corporate customers are much higher. Workers in the higher end of the underwriting profession earn about $126,000 annually according to Salary.com.
Chartered Financial Analyst: Becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst requires some additional study and successful completion of exams administered by the CFA Institute. There is a series of three exams; applicants for status as a CFA must also have at least four years' work experience. In return they receive certification that is the gold standard for many employers when it comes to placing financial analysts in senior positions. According to Salary.com CFAs working as portfolio managers earn an average of $112,000. Those working for Goldman Sachs average $91,000 annually. For the Bank of America the average salary for a CFA is $85,000.
Credit Risk Management Analyst: This job requires some patience because it's not one that a new graduate from a Master's in Finance can walk into. Credit risk management becomes a lucrative career with financial institutions and securities brokers at the corporate level. At the management level credit control is a vital function that puts the health of the business on the line daily. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics risk managers working with securities and commodities contracts have an average salary of $153,000. Those working for insurance carriers average $123,000 annually. In an overall corporate management position the average salary is $130,000.
Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst: Many professionals who work in this field are employed by consulting firms that specialize in this service. Analyzing a proposed acquisition for a corporation involves voluminous research that in many cases includes experts in tax law, valuation analysts, executives who are knowledgeable in foreign tax laws and analysts who can take an in-depth look at a company's economic health. For consultant who don't need a law degree the average salary is $95,000 according to Salary.com

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