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Hourly Wage for Financial Controller Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Financial Controller?

As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Financial Controller in the United States is $122, which translates to an annual salary of about $253,800.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $151 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113 to $137 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $113 10% $104 90% $151 75% $137 $122 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Financial Controller Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $285,700 $23,808 $5,494 $137
Average $253,800 $21,150 $4,881 $122
25th Percentile $234,700 $19,558 $4,513 $113
Check out Financial Controller Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Financial Controller Salaries

A Financial Controller's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Financial Controller Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Financial Controller's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Deputy Controller (5+ years): $163,096
  • Director, Financial Controls (5+ years): $177,437
  • Financial Controller (5+ years): $253,707
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Deputy Controller5+ years$163,096
Director, Financial Controls5+ years$177,437
Financial Controller5+ years$253,707
$163,096 Deputy Co...
$177,437 Director,...
$253,707 Financial...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Financial Controllers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $320,100
  • San Francisco: $316,500
  • Oakland: $309,900

What Skills Can Increase a Financial Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Helping and maintaining accounting rules and standards for financial reporting to ensure consistency and transparency.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.02%
General Ledger 2.93%
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 1.03%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Financial Controller's salary.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Technical Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative
$266,490
5%
Insight
$266,490
5%
Technical Accounting
$263,952
4%
Cash Management
$263,952
4%
Financial Management
$263,952
4%
Analytical Skills
$261,414
3%
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How Education impacts a Financial Controller's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Financial Controllers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Financial Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $241,403 and $263,648).

Financial Controller Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Financial Controller
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.9%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 57.5%
Masters 33.9%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Financial Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Financial Controller's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Financial Controller

Salaries for a Financial Controller can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $212,060 in 2023 to around $218,844 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Financial Controller salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Financial Controller Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$212,060
2024
$221,043
2025
$218,844
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $212,060
2024 $221,043
2025 $218,844
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Financial Controller

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Financial Controller

Here are companies hiring for Financial Controller and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Financial Controller

1. What is the strongest financial position?

The company with the strongest financial position is characterized by a high proportion of equity to total assets. This indicates a robust financial health, allowing it to fund activities without excessive reliance on loans. In terms of compensation, a Financial Controller in this position can expect a salary ranging from $220,800 to $304,300, with a midpoint of $260,500.

2. Do financial advisors make 7 figures?

Financial controllers typically earn between $220,800 and $304,300 annually, with a median salary of $260,500. While some financial advisors may reach seven figures, the majority earn significantly less. The salary range for financial controllers indicates a strong earning potential, but not all financial roles achieve seven-figure incomes.

3. What is the highest salary for a financial controller?

The highest salary that a Financial Controller can earn is ₹30.43 Lakhs per year (₹2.54 Lakhs per month).

4. Can you be a controller without a CPA?

Yes, you can be a financial controller without a CPA. While a CPA can enhance your qualifications and credibility, many controllers succeed with relevant experience and skills in finance and accounting. The salary for a financial controller typically ranges from $220,800 to $304,300, with a midpoint around $260,500, reflecting the importance of expertise in the role.

5. Who is higher CFO or financial controller?

The CFO is a higher position than the Financial Controller. The CFO reports directly to the CEO and oversees the entire financial department, while the Financial Controller, earning between $220,800 and $304,300, reports to the CFO and manages day-to-day financial operations. The CFO typically has a broader scope and higher salary range.

6. How much does a financial controller earn in the USA?

In the USA, a Financial Controller earns between $220,800 and $304,300 annually, with a median salary of $260,500. This translates to a monthly pay range of approximately $18,400 to $25,358, with the midpoint being around $21,708.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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