What is the salary and career path for a vp finance?
VP of finance is classified within Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031), the broad BLS code for senior finance leadership, and VPs sit near the top of it: the OEWS May 2025 code median is $166,570 a year ($80.08 an hour) while the 90th percentile reaches $323,270, and vice presidents of finance commonly land in the upper quartile toward that ceiling. BLS projects the code to grow 14.8% over 2024–2034, much faster than average, with about 74,600 openings a year. The role is reached from controller or FP&A leadership, typically with a CPA, MBA or CFA and long tenure.
- VP Finances earn a national median $166,570/yr ($80.08/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 11-3031); the top 10% clear $323,270.
- VP of finance is classified within Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031), sitting in the code's upper quartile — above the $166,570 median toward the $323,270 top decile.
- BLS projects the code to grow 14.8% through 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 74,600 openings a year.
- The ladder runs from controller or FP&A director through VP of finance to CFO, with a CPA, MBA or CFA and long tenure the main levers.
Career Path
How do you become a vp finance?
Controller / FP&A director
Owning the close or the plan, a controller or FP&A director sits above the $94,310 10th percentile and climbs.
VP of Finance
Leading accounting, FP&A and treasury below the CFO earns in the code's upper quartile, well above the $166,570 median.
Senior VP of finance
Owning finance for a large division pushes pay toward the $323,270 90th percentile.
CFO
Owning the entire finance function and capital strategy sits at and above the code's top decile.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays vp finances the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 11-3031. National median: $166,570. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does vp finance pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles vp finances most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: vp finances rank 1 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +14.8% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly vp finances clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 11-3031 (vp finances) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do vp finances need?
The foundational degree for the finance-leadership track. See all state licences →
A state CPA license, common where the VP owns accounting and financial reporting.
A graduate business degree that supports the strategic and executive dimensions of the role.
The CFA Institute credential valued where the role leans on analysis, capital and investment decisions.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do vp finances use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 11-3031
Salary Levers
How do vp finances earn above the $166,570 BLS median?
Own a full finance function
End-to-end ownership of accounting, FP&A and treasury places pay in the code's upper quartile above the median.
Lead finance for a larger entity
Bigger scope and division-level responsibility lifts pay toward the $323,270 top decile.
Advance to CFO
Owning the entire finance function and capital strategy sits at and above the code ceiling.
This Route vs. College
Is becoming a vp finance worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 11-3031. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
VP Finance Career, Frequently Asked Questions
VP Finance career research journey
Do your homework, then let the network do the rest.Get the job, then keep rising
FreeSet your intent, matching jobs come to you. No applying.
A roadmap to your next licence tier and higher pay band.
Once placed, we cover all certification, licence & career-guide fees.
Hiring vp finances?
Get a verified shortlist of 3–5 qualified candidates in 48 hours
GlobalCybers verifies active state licenses, trade certifications, Intent and right-to-work status before any candidate reaches your portal. Flat $2,999/mo RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing), up to 3 concurrent roles, or a free trial (pay on hire). 90-day written guarantee.
Related · VP Finance
Everything for vp finances in one place
Salary data, licensing, interview prep, and hiring, all cross-linked so you (and search engines) can move through the full vp finance cluster.