How much does a Financial Aid Manager make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Financial Aid Manager in the United States is $65,437 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Financial Aid Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,977
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,545 to $73,048
Key Factors That Influence Financial Aid Manager Salaries
A Financial Aid Manager'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 Aid Manager Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Financial Aid Manager'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:
Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. (2-4 years): $48,557
Financial Aid Manager (4-5 years): $65,437
Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. (5+ years): $97,098
Job Role
Years of Experience
Average Salary
Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.
2-4 years
$48,557
Financial Aid Manager
4-5 years
$65,437
Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed.
5+ years
$97,098
$48,557Financial...
$65,437Financial...
$97,098Financial...
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Financial Aid Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work.
States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors
often pay more to attract Financial Aid Managers.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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: $82,536
San Francisco: $81,632
Oakland: $79,912
San Jose, CA$82,536
San Francisco, CA$81,632
Oakland, CA$79,912
New York, NY$75,344
Paramus, NJ$74,427
Queens Village, NY$74,424
Passaic, NJ$74,362
Bergenfield, NJ$74,356
Stamford, CT$74,212
Huntington, NY$74,185
Newark, NJ$73,702
Bridgeport, CT$73,564
Vallejo, CA$73,433
New Brunswick, NJ$73,407
Petaluma, CA$73,368
Middlesex, NJ$73,244
Somerset, NJ$73,198
Santa Cruz, CA$73,113
Boston, MA$72,714
Monterey, CA$72,484
Seattle, WA$72,334
Santa Rosa, CA$72,321
Los Angeles, CA$72,301
Juneau, AK$72,131
Washington, DC$72,059
Orange, CA$71,826
Santa Ana, CA$71,654
Long Beach, CA$71,588
Anaheim, CA$71,575
Anchorage, AK$71,542
Santa Maria, CA$71,346
Everett, WA$71,333
Danbury, CT$71,103
Bremerton, WA$71,012
Tacoma, WA$70,777
New Suffolk, NY$70,775
Sacramento, CA$70,757
Santa Barbara, CA$70,685
Trenton, NJ$70,613
San Diego, CA$70,613
Brockton, MA$70,541
Fairbanks, AK$70,381
Lompoc, CA$70,214
Lowell, MA$70,161
Ventura, CA$70,148
Nashua, NH$70,135
Stockton, CA$70,129
Modesto, CA$69,651
Poughkeepsie, NY$69,507
Olympia, WA$69,383
Kennewick, WA$69,383
New Haven, CT$69,357
Lawrence, MA$69,121
Hartford, CT$69,056
Riverside, CA$69,043
New Bedford, MA$68,977
Richland, WA$68,977
Bakersfield, CA$68,886
San Bernardino, CA$68,859
New Britain, CT$68,853
Atlantic City, NJ$68,853
New London, CT$68,827
Norwich, CT$68,807
Portsmouth, NH$68,794
Boulder, CO$68,655
Portland, OR$68,565
Worcester, MA$68,558
Minneapolis, MN$68,355
Philadelphia, PA$68,264
Honolulu, HI$68,048
Saint Paul, MN$68,017
Vineland, NJ$68,002
Providence, RI$67,812
Chicago, IL$67,623
Bellingham, WA$67,544
Springfield, MA$67,492
Baltimore, MD$67,472
Chico, CA$67,308
Pittsfield, MA$67,132
Manchester, NH$67,007
Spokane, WA$66,720
Denver, CO$66,713
Albany, NY$66,405
Troy, NY$66,379
Nassau, NY$66,309
Schenectady, NY$66,242
Wilmington, DE$66,190
Burlington, VT$66,098
Salem, OR$66,072
Portland, ME$65,869
Yakima, WA$65,803
Rochester, MN$65,601
Reno, NV$65,568
Fresno, CA$65,568
Milwaukee, WI$65,509
Detroit, MI$65,444
Ann Arbor, MI$65,432
Allentown, PA$65,424
Colorado Springs, CO$65,313
Syracuse, NY$65,280
Carson City, NV$65,280
Houston, TX$65,188
Eugene, OR$65,156
Gary, IN$65,077
Springfield, OR$65,025
Bismarck, ND$65,012
Galveston, TX$64,966
Medford, OR$64,868
Fort Collins, CO$64,842
Concord, NH$64,809
Austin, TX$64,789
Mesa, AZ$64,652
Reading, PA$64,645
Phoenix, AZ$64,639
Dallas, TX$64,619
Saint Cloud, MN$64,556
Madison, WI$64,469
Utica, NY$64,292
Rochester, NY$64,187
Des Moines, IA$64,181
Raleigh, NC$64,174
Atlanta, GA$64,076
Battle Creek, MI$64,056
Salt Lake City, UT$64,037
Lancaster, PA$63,938
Harrisburg, PA$63,847
Kansas City, MO$63,781
Champaign, IL$63,768
Kansas City, KS$63,768
Fort Worth, TX$63,762
Columbus, OH$63,751
Boca Raton, FL$63,736
Pittsburgh, PA$63,709
Richmond, VA$63,683
Indianapolis, IN$63,670
Cleveland, OH$63,664
Las Vegas, NV$63,585
Cincinnati, OH$63,585
Petersburg, VA$63,487
Huntsville, AL$63,389
Lansing, MI$63,345
Lebanon, PA$63,336
Pueblo, CO$63,330
Appleton, WI$63,310
Buffalo, NY$63,284
Dayton, OH$63,264
Racine, WI$63,251
Charlotte, NC$63,245
Saint Louis, MO$63,225
York, PA$63,186
Elkhart, IN$63,186
Gastonia, NC$63,174
Billings, MT$63,158
Beaumont, TX$63,140
Lorain, OH$63,127
Benton Harbor, MI$63,114
Toledo, OH$63,101
Binghamton, NY$63,068
Rock Hill, SC$63,062
Rockford, IL$63,029
Springfield, IL$63,003
Elyria, OH$62,996
Fargo, ND$62,996
Flagstaff, AZ$62,950
Fort Lauderdale, FL$62,911
Duluth, MN$62,872
Miami, FL$62,872
Cheyenne, WY$62,826
Grand Forks, ND$62,826
Bangor, ME$62,682
Cedar Rapids, IA$62,610
Durham, NC$62,583
Louisville, KY$62,577
Grand Rapids, MI$62,564
Hialeah, FL$62,558
Casper, WY$62,466
Scranton, PA$62,388
New Orleans, LA$62,368
Virginia Beach, VA$62,361
Akron, OH$62,329
Peoria, IL$62,244
Sarasota, FL$62,231
Nashville, TN$62,185
Omaha, NE$62,185
Green Bay, WI$62,185
Baton Rouge, LA$62,152
Charleston, SC$62,139
Jamestown, NY$62,106
Davenport, IA$62,106
Tucson, AZ$62,074
Saint Petersburg, FL$62,034
Tampa, FL$62,021
Evansville, IN$61,982
Port Arthur, TX$61,982
Bradenton, FL$61,956
Santa Fe, NM$61,838
Orlando, FL$61,720
Clearwater, FL$61,701
Canton, OH$61,563
La Crosse, WI$61,563
Albuquerque, NM$61,524
Newport News, VA$61,517
High Point, NC$61,498
Ogden, UT$61,472
Corpus Christi, TX$61,419
Norfolk, VA$61,380
Laramie, WY$61,380
Rock Island, IL$61,341
Saginaw, MI$61,328
Jacksonville, FL$61,321
Salisbury, NC$61,308
Boise, ID$61,295
Moline, IL$61,262
Fort Myers, FL$61,242
Memphis, TN$61,229
Tulsa, OK$61,197
Waterloo, IA$61,157
Spartanburg, SC$61,092
Lincoln, NE$61,059
Fort Wayne, IN$61,046
Provo, UT$61,040
Cedar Falls, IA$60,961
San Antonio, TX$60,935
Greensboro, NC$60,909
South Bend, IN$60,902
Savannah, GA$60,830
Muskegon, MI$60,804
Birmingham, AL$60,798
Winston Salem, NC$60,765
Lake Charles, LA$60,608
Anderson, IN$60,595
Lexington, KY$60,575
Augusta, GA$60,555
Greenville, SC$60,555
Lima, OH$60,503
Wichita, KS$60,497
Tuscaloosa, AL$60,497
Columbia, SC$60,438
Springfield, OH$60,425
Asheville, NC$60,320
Bloomington, IN$60,274
Knoxville, TN$60,038
Shreveport, LA$60,032
Wilmington, NC$59,947
Roanoke, VA$59,947
Topeka, KS$59,829
Frankfort, KY$59,822
Oklahoma City, OK$59,777
Chillicothe, OH$59,751
Longview, TX$59,744
Melbourne, FL$59,737
Sioux Falls, SD$59,633
Mobile, AL$59,626
Terre Haute, IN$59,600
Altoona, PA$59,561
Amarillo, TX$59,515
Killeen, TX$59,495
Fayetteville, AR$59,443
Chattanooga, TN$59,423
Sioux City, IA$59,364
Idaho Falls, ID$59,351
Lynchburg, VA$59,299
Gainesville, FL$59,214
Portsmouth, OH$59,181
Little Rock, AR$59,168
Lafayette, LA$59,142
Youngstown, OH$59,142
Daytona Beach, FL$59,103
Clarksville, TN$59,096
Pensacola, FL$59,090
Temple, TX$59,085
Hopkinsville, KY$58,893
Erie, PA$58,880
Florence, SC$58,854
Charleston, WV$58,749
Great Falls, MT$58,717
Macon, GA$58,625
Tallahassee, FL$58,618
Fayetteville, NC$58,605
Waco, TX$58,592
Helena, MT$58,546
Pine Bluff, AR$58,522
Vincennes, IN$58,442
Lubbock, TX$58,416
Alamogordo, NM$58,376
Twin Falls, ID$58,317
Rapid City, SD$58,298
Jackson, MS$58,180
Huntington, WV$58,175
Greenville, MS$58,173
Parkersburg, WV$58,107
Montgomery, AL$58,095
Wichita Falls, TX$58,030
Springfield, MO$58,030
Biloxi, MS$57,997
Monroe, LA$57,931
Johnstown, PA$57,886
Sumter, SC$57,859
Columbus, GA$57,853
Pascagoula, MS$57,729
Abilene, TX$57,729
Kingsport, TN$57,558
Albany, GA$57,558
Gulfport, MS$57,539
Alexandria, LA$57,323
Fort Smith, AR$57,159
El Paso, TX$56,983
Las Cruces, NM$56,688
Harlingen, TX$56,522
Pocatello, ID$56,511
Florence, AL$56,426
Brownsville, TX$56,413
Mcallen, TX$56,276
Dothan, AL$56,184
Columbus, MS$55,796
Altus, OK$55,491
Lawton, OK$55,366
Pierre, SD$55,131
Financial Aid Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Financial Aid Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,581.
While startup companies pay approximate $57,721.
Financial Aid Manager Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$57,721
Growth Stage
51~500
$60,905
Established
501~5000
$65,427
Enterprise
5000+
$67,581
Financial Aid Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Financial Aid Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential
by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit,
offers compensation 0% above the average. Conversely,
Financial Aid Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay,
as this sector often view Financial Aid Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Financial Aid Manager
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
How Education impacts a Financial Aid Manager's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Financial Aid Managers 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 Aid Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between
$65,146
and $71,556).
Financial Aid Manager Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Financial Aid Manager
No Diploma3.2%
High School3.2%
Associates2.2%
Bachelors40.9%
Masters51.6%
Doctorate2.2%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
3.2%
High School
3.2%
Associates
2.2%
Bachelors
40.9%
Masters
51.6%
Doctorate
2.2%
view as graph
Financial Aid Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Financial Aid Manager'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$53,545
Average$65,437/year
$73,048
$4,462
Average$5,453/month
$6,087
$1,030
Average$1,258/week
$1,405
$26
Average$31/hour
$35
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$73,048
$6,087
$1,405
$35
Average
$65,437
$5,453
$1,258
$31
25th Percentile
$53,545
$4,462
$1,030
$26
Financial Aid Manager Salary Growth & Career Path
For a Financial Aid Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. role.
This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to
$97,098 - a projected growth of
48%
over your current level.
Salaries for a Financial Aid Manager can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary increased from $64,476 in 2023
to around $64,494 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Financial Aid Manager salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Financial Aid Manager Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$64,476
2024
$64,806
2025
$64,494
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$64,476
2024
$64,806
2025
$64,494
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Financial Aid Manager
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation Planning
Common company salaries for Financial Aid Manager
Here are companies hiring for Financial Aid Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.
N
$97,099/per year
New York Police Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$95,962/per year
State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$94,615/per year
US Department of Transportation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$93,141/per year
US General Services Administration
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$92,342/per year
Los Angeles County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
D
$92,011/per year
Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,967/per year
US Department of Commerce
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,755/per year
US Department of Energy
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
F
$91,673/per year
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$90,276/per year
Naval Sea Systems Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,975/per year
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$88,721/per year
San Diego County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,664/per year
The TTB
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$87,569/per year
Lutheran Services
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
M
$85,066/per year
Maryland Inc
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$83,780/per year
State University of New York
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$82,969/per year
New York State
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
P
$82,703/per year
Puerto Rico Department of Education
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$80,526/per year
US Central Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
H
$80,286/per year
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$79,270/per year
Air Force Reserve
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$78,505/per year
American Automobile Association (AAA)
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$76,678/per year
State of Florida - Department of Health
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$75,183/per year
New York State Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$75,106/per year
State University System of Florida
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
Find Your Next Financial Aid Manager Job
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Browse thousands of current Financial Aid Manager job openings on our job board.
Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
For Employees
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
For Employers
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
FAQ about Financial Aid Manager
1. Where can a Financial Aid Manager earn the most?
A Financial Aid Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer.
According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Financial Aid Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Financial Aid Manager is $82,536.
2. What is the highest pay for Financial Aid Manager?
The highest pay for Financial Aid Manager is $79,977.
3. What is the lowest pay for Financial Aid Manager?
The lowest pay for Financial Aid Manager is $42,718.
4. What are the responsibilities of Financial Aid Manager?
Manages the operations of the student financial aid program. Monitors the counseling of students and parents on the financial aid process. Maintains records of scholarships, grants, and other monetary assistance. Has knowledge of available private, state, and federal financial aid programs. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered Talent
