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VP of Finance Salary in the United States

How much does a VP of Finance make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Finance in the United States is $250,349 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $120.

However, a VP of Finance's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $295,523
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $222,948 to $273,995
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $198,001
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Finance Salaries

A VP of Finance'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 VP of Finance Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of Finance'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:

  • Finance Senior Manager (5+ years): $168,019
  • Finance Director (5+ years): $203,624
  • VP of Finance (5+ years): $250,349
  • SVP of Finance (5+ years): $297,124
  • Chief Financial Officer (5+ years): $438,708
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Finance Senior Manager5+ years$168,019
Finance Director5+ years$203,624
VP of Finance5+ years$250,349
SVP of Finance5+ years$297,124
Chief Financial Officer5+ years$438,708
View as Graph

How Do VP of Finance 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 VP of Finances. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $277,186.
  • California: $276,135.
  • Massachusetts: $272,455.

Top Paying Cities for VP of Finances

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: $315,765
  • San Francisco: $312,308
  • Oakland: $305,726

What Skills Can Increase a VP of Finance's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.5% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Digital Signage (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Digital signage is a segment of electronic signage. Digital displays use technologies such as LCD, LED, projection and e-paper to display digital images, video, web pages, weather data, restaurant menus, or text.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.5%
Digital Signage 2%
Data Entry 1.5%
See More Skills

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 VP of Finance's salary.

  • Manufacturing Technology: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Profitability Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Building Relationships: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Manufacturing Technology $282,894
13%
Profitability Analysis $275,384
10%
Building Relationships $262,866
5%
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VP of Finance Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Finance salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $279,775. While startup companies pay approximate $236,661.

VP of Finance Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $236,661
Growth Stage 51~500 $250,293
Established 501~5000 $270,159
Enterprise 5000+ $279,775

VP of Finance Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Finance roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, VP of Finance positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Finance as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Finance

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$285,398$137.014%
Aerospace & Defense$280,391$135.012%
Energy & Utilities$275,384$132.010%
Biotechnology$270,377$130.08%
Insurance$267,873$129.07%

How Education impacts a VP of Finance's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an VP of Finance with a Bachelor's Degree is between $261,965 and $292,792.

VP of Finance Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for VP of Finance
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.5%
High School 27.3%
Associates 5.5%
Bachelors 27.3%
Masters 63.6%
Doctorate 3.6%
View as Graph

VP of Finance Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a VP of Finance'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 September 01, 2026
$222,948
Average $250,349/year
$273,995
$18,579
Average $20,862/month
$22,833
$4,287
Average $4,814/week
$5,269
$107
Average $120/hour
$132
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $273,995 $22,833 $5,269 $132
Average $250,349 $20,862 $4,814 $120
25th Percentile $222,948 $18,579 $4,287 $107

VP of Finance Salary Growth & Career Path

VP of Finance

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Advancement

For a VP of Finance, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the SVP of Finance role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $297,124 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for VP of Finance

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for VP of Finance

Here are companies hiring for VP of Finance and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about VP of Finance

1. Where can a VP of Finance earn the most?

A VP of Finance'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 VP of Finance earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a VP of Finance is $315,765.

2. What is the highest pay for VP of Finance?

The highest pay for VP of Finance is $295,523.

3. What is the lowest pay for VP of Finance?

The lowest pay for VP of Finance is $198,001.

4. What are the responsibilities of VP of Finance?

Oversees an organization's financial operations, reporting, and governance to ensure financial health and support high-level strategic planning. Provides regulatory oversight for financial reporting and accounting to ensure operations are compliant and responsive to operational or regulatory changes. Collaborates with senior leaders to understand business needs, develop strategies, and ensure financial goals support business objectives. Reviews and approves budgets and forecasts to ensure resources and efforts align with the organization's mission. Evaluates and improves financial modeling and analytical tools to measure and forecast the impact of various economic scenarios, risks, and business changes. Identifies and oversees funding through debt, equity, and various financial instruments to support business operations, optimize cash flow, and manage risk. Requires a master's degree in accounting or finance. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for VP of Finance?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for VP of Finance roles, with salaries approximately 14% above the market median.

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.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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