Are you considering the FP&A career path? It’s an excellent way to apply knowledge gained from a degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. It’s also a critical business function that provides significant value to a company and offers plenty of opportunities for advancement.
This article will review the average education, experience, and salary you can expect at each of the five common FP&A career levels.
First, let’s quickly review what a typical FPA career entails.
FP&A Overview
FP&A teams support an organization’s major business decisions and financial health. While corporate structures and areas of responsibility vary, the fundamental responsibilities of an FP&A professional typically include financial planning, budgeting and performance, and management reporting.
Planning, Forecasting, and Budgeting
The FP&A team is responsible for financial modeling, including forecasting revenue, expenses, profit, and cash flow.
They will also consider anticipated business decisions and broader industry and economic trends when building financial models.
Since macroeconomic events are difficult to predict, the FP&A team is also responsible for developing scenario models based on expected, best-case, and worst-case scenarios, each built on a set of high-level assumptions. These models enable the FP&A team and senior leadership, including the corporate development team, to build out company strategy.
Performance and Management Reporting
Providing ongoing performance reporting is a top responsibility of an FP&A team. Standard reporting generally follows a regular cadence, such as monthly, quarterly, and annually.
This reporting generally aligns with regulatory reporting obligations and/or scheduled corporate leadership meetings.
Ad hoc analysis and reporting also fall within the remit of an FP&A team. They are the go-to group for analysis, forecasting, and modeling at enterprise and business unit levels.
They are considered in-house experts in both historical financial performance and forecasting future performance using a range of common variables.
Roles in FP&A and Average FP&A Salary by Role and Level
Now that we’ve outlined the general role and function of the FP&A team, let’s discuss the typical FP&A roles and important information that you’re likely most interested in: the FP&A salary range, typical profile, and time spent at each level.
In general, there are 6 levels of FP&A jobs:
- FP&A Intern
- FP&A Associate
- FP&A Analyst
- FP&A Senior Analyst
- FP&A Manager
- VP/Director/Head of FP&A
FP&A Salaries
1) FP&A Internships
A financial analyst internship is a great starting place for a new grad considering a career in FP&A.
It will also give you connections and invaluable experience when you’re ready to apply for a permanent job.
However, when you’re looking for an FP&A internship, make sure that it’s a financial analyst role within an FP&A team. Financial analyst is a broad term that may come with varying duties depending on the company and industry. It’s also worth listening to the first-hand experiences of people like you. Students who completed internships at organizations such as American Express and Expedia talked to the top FP&A podcast, FP&A Today, about the value of internships and how they secured them, including through the “LinkedIn for college students” app called Handshake.
FP&A Internship Salary and Salary Range
There is a widespread misconception that internships are always unpaid. While there are unpaid internships, the average financial analyst internship hourly wage is between $30 and $36, according to information from Salary.com.
Time Spent as an FP&A Intern
The average duration of an internship is four months, but it can be as long as 12 months.
2) FP&A Associate
An FP&A associate is a junior role that serves as a bridge between the internship and analyst positions. It’s often found in larger companies or financial institutions that have structured finance hierarchies. Associates build a solid foundation in data management and financial modeling before moving into analyst roles.
Responsibilities may include:
- Gathering and validating financial data for forecasts and budgets
- Updating spreadsheets and assisting with monthly reporting packages
- Supporting analysts in building simple financial models and sensitivity tests
- Assisting in variance analysis and commentary for management reports
- Coordinating with accounting or operations teams to confirm data accuracy
FP&A Associate Salary and Salary Range
The average FP&A associate salary in the U.S. is around $66,500, typically ranging from $29,000 to $141,000, depending on the company size, location, and industry. Associates working in financial hubs like New York or San Francisco often earn toward the higher end of this range.
Time Spent as an FP&A Associate
Most professionals remain in the associate role for about one year before progressing to FP&A analyst. Performance, technical skills, and exposure to senior projects can shorten that time frame.
3) FP&A Analyst
An FP&A analyst is typically a role for junior or intermediate analysts with one to three years of professional experience.
Responsibilities may include:
- Creating or updating financial planning models, often using Excel
- Leading the collection and consolidation of data
- Tracking and forecasting revenue, expenses, profit, and cash flow by business unit or group
- Liaising with senior leadership across business units
- Helping to build monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets and forecasts for different business units and consolidating them into an enterprise-level budget
- Analyzing financial performance and comparing performance against competitors
- Preparing variance analysis to explain why actual results differed from the plan and forecast
FP&A Analyst Salary and Salary Range
The average FP&A analyst salary in the U.S. is $91,143, ranging between $45,500 and $145,500.
Time spent as an FP&A analyst
Most FP&A analysts spend one to three years in the role before being promoted.
4) FP&A Senior Analyst
A senior analyst will typically have extensive experience as an FP&A analyst and in other finance or accounting roles.
As a senior FP&A analyst, you’ll be expected to provide more value than simply contributing to financial models, data collection, and compilation.
You’ll have to start thinking in more depth about what the data is saying and the decisions it will inform. While an FP&A analyst may calculate certain metrics or KPIs, an FP&A senior analyst will know and be able to communicate the importance and implications of the information.
Responsibilities may include:
- Helping to guide junior FP&A analysts and reviewing financial models for accuracy and completeness
- Completing sensitivity analysis on the impact of revenue, cost, and profits, considering macroeconomic variables such as the U.S. federal funds rate
- Building scenario analyses of the strategic and tactical business decisions being evaluated
- Conduct variance analysis and provide insights on budget, forecast, and actual performance
- Ad hoc management reports
FP&A Senior Analyst Salary and Salary Range
The average FP&A senior analyst salary in the U.S. is $96,423, ranging between $55,000 and $121,000, depending on location and company size.
Time Spent as an FP&A Senior Analyst
The average tenure of an FP&A senior analyst ranges from one to three years.
5) FP&A Manager
The FP&A manager typically leads an FP&A team comprising FP&A analysts and senior analysts. They are instrumental members of the financial planning and reporting team.
FP&A managers typically have between six and ten years of experience in both analyst and senior analyst positions.
As the main point of contact with the leaders of each business unit, they are responsible for the timely delivery of accurate and actionable data to senior stakeholders.
Responsibilities may include:
- Providing leadership to the FP&A team
- Supervising the financial planning and reporting cycle, including budgets and forecasts
- Creating positive working relationships with other groups
- Guiding senior leaders of other business units on their performance and recommending corrective actions
- Leading the development of ad hoc reporting
- Enhancing the overall performance of the FP&A team
FP&A Manager Salary and Salary Range
The average FP&A manager salary in the U.S. is $81,677, ranging from $27,500 to $137,500.
Time Spent as an FP&A Manager
The average tenure of an FP&A manager is between three and six years.
6) FP&A Director, Head, or VP
The FP&A director, head, or VP reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is ultimately accountable for FP&A in the company.
As the main C-level or executive point of contact regarding FP&A, the VP/Director of FP&A is the final rung on the ladder before becoming a CFO.
According to Mergers and Inquisitions, reaching this level usually takes more than 10 years. But as you’ll see in the 2024 Salary/Compensation Reddit thread, it can happen sooner.
FP&A Director or VP Salary and Salary Range
- The average FP&A director salary in the U.S. is $149,983, ranging from $101,500 to $200,500.
- The average FP&A VP salary in the U.S. is $169,537, ranging from $64,500 to 260,000.
Time Spent as an FP&A Director
For a typical FP&A Director at a large company, 4-7 years is considered the average tenure.
How to Increase Your FP&A Salary
A career in financial planning and analysis rewards professionals who combine analytical A career in financial planning and analysis rewards professionals who combine analytical depth with strategic vision. While FP&A salaries are competitive, increasing your earning potential depends on how effectively you position yourself along the FP&A career path.
The most direct way to increase your FP&A salary is by demonstrating measurable business impact. You need to show employers how your forecasts, models, and insights have directly improved profitability or efficiency.
It’s also imperative to build a strong technical foundation. Early in your journey as an FP&A associate or senior FP&A analyst, mastering Excel modeling, financial systems, and data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau helps accelerate your FP&A salary progression.
Analysts who automate recurring reports or improve forecasting accuracy quickly stand out as high-value contributors. Certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can also lead to a noticeable bump in pay.
Soft skills matter too. As you move toward the FP&A manager or FP&A director salary range, your ability to influence department heads and communicate insights to non-financial stakeholders becomes a differentiator. When you reach the top FP&A salary tier, strong communication and management skills help you stand out.
Networking also accelerates FP&A salary progression, so professionals who join finance communities and attend conferences have better chances of being tapped for cross-functional or high-impact roles.
Factors Affecting FP&A Salary
FP&A salaries differ widely, even among professionals with similar titles. The following factors determine your salary in an FP&A role.
Experience and Career Progression
The biggest driver of FP&A salary progression is experience. New graduates entering the workforce as FP&A associates earn roughly $47,440 per year as their base salary, which can rise to $66,568, depending on location and industry.
As your skillset broadens and your business knowledge grows, your salary will climb quickly. The annual wage of a senior FP&A analyst ranges between $55,000 and $121,000, as mentioned above. The salary for an FP&A director often falls between $149,983 and $200,500. Similarly, the salary for the head of FP&A can exceed $200,000, especially in large or public firms.
Industry and Company Size
Corporate FP&A salary levels vary by industry. Technology, pharmaceuticals, and private equity tend to pay higher than the manufacturing and non-profit sectors.For example, a financial analyst at Microsoft makes about $115,000 to $168,000 per year, while the same position pays between $69,942 and $113,000 at Walmart. Larger organizations also offer broader pay bands, reflecting the complexity of their financial structures and planning cycles.
Location
Geography also plays a major role. FP&A professionals in cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Boston command higher salaries due to higher market competition and living costs. For example, a manager of FP&A in San Francisco may earn around $153,446 to $208,593, while the same role in Dallas might pay closer to $126,000 and go up to $183,000. Remote work has started narrowing this gap, though in-office positions still carry location-based pay premiums.
Skills and Education
FP&A roles reward technical ability and business acumen. Analysts with advanced Excel modeling, SQL, or Power BI skills usually earn more. Certifications like the CFA or CPA can also improve pay prospects. MBA graduates tend to progress faster into managerial roles, shortening the time to reach higher salary brackets.
Career Progression After Being a Director, Head or Vice President of FP&A
A director, head, or VP of FP&A has a clear route to the CFO role at the same company. Others transition into roles that sit near the C-suite: chief of staff to the CEO, head of corporate development, treasurer, or head of investor relations.
A smaller group takes operational jobs such as general manager or business unit leader, leveraging an individual’s technical skills, stakeholder influence, and board-level exposure.
As a CFO, you can expect to make around $436,761 per year. The top earners pull in $535,203 annually, while the majority of the CFOs make between $391,650 and $488,289.
For treasurers, the average salary is $259,780, with the top earners making as much as $294,705 per year.
Moving beyond the FP&A director or VP level requires a broader view of the business and an ability to guide both financial and strategic decisions. At this point, professionals are expected to act as business partners to the CEO and board, not only as financial stewards.
Professionals who are drawn to operations can find opportunities in business unit leadership or Chief Operating Officer (COO) roles. Their financial insight helps align day-to-day execution with the broader company plan. Some professionals also become Chief of Staff to the CEO, a position that involves strategic planning, executive coordination, and performance oversight.
The skills needed for these roles are not limited to forecasting accuracy. Strategic thinking, influence, and communication become the decisive factors. Directors and VPs who frequently present to boards, lead cross-departmental initiatives, or handle investor updates are more likely to advance.
Is FP&A a Good Career?
Financial planning and analysis is an appealing career choice for many due to a combination of rewarding strategic work, analysis, and the opportunity to earn a high income.
FP&A team members are critical to an organization, ultimately ensuring its financial health. Historically, FP&A professionals have been at the forefront of some of the most impactful business decisions.
FP&A is in high demand among finance roles. As businesses become more data-driven and analytical, FP&A teams become increasingly critical to the organization’s success.
Because of the breadth of the work involved, FP&A professionals can also follow various potential career paths.
FP&A is worth considering for someone who relishes a challenge, a constantly stimulating environment, and the opportunity to learn new things.
How to Get Into FP&A
While there is no one-size-fits-all formula, most paths to an FP&A career begin with a combination of education, experience, and skills.
Education is often the starting point: an FP&A professional typically has a solid education in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field.
While a bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum requirement for most FP&A positions, additional education is a considerable advantage. For senior FP&A roles, it might even be necessary.
Many FP&A jobs, especially senior positions, require an MBA or other advanced degree and certifications, such as a CPA.
Relevant work experience is also crucial. FP&A analysts typically start their careers as financial analysts, accountants, or auditors.
Second, improve your proficiency in financial software and tools. FP&A analysts spend significant time building financial models using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and similar tools, so proficiency is important.
Networking and mentorship are also important.
Talking to people who are already in FP&A helps you understand the industry and learn about job opportunities.
Joining finance-related professional organizations, attending industry conferences, and participating in online communities can help you meet new contacts who might be able to advance your career.
Experience in financial modeling, strategic planning, and scenario analysis will also be useful for those moving from another finance role, demonstrating their suitability for an FP&A position.
The Impact of Automation and AI on FP&A Salaries
Automation and AI are changing what FP&A teams do and how employers pay them. Some routine tasks are being eliminated, while demand for people who can interpret results and build reliable forecasts is rising.
Effect on Day-to-Day Work
Routine consolidation, data pulls, and simple reconciliations are ideal use cases for AI. . Tools that automate month-end close or instantly refresh forecasts reduce the time spent on manual processes. They lower the value of purely transactional work, but enable staff to focus on analysis and insight generation.
According to Deloitte, finance employees are increasingly likely to use generative AI for everyday work, speeding up reporting.
How Roles Are Affected
Entry-level roles, such as FP&A associate, face the biggest disruption. Employers can use automation to handle repetitive tasks previously performed by junior staff. AI is therefore reducing market demand for the lowest-paid positions.
Senior positions see a different effect. Senior FP&A analyst salary and FP&A manager salary lines often rise when companies need experienced people who can validate automated outputs and translate them for leaders.
As a result, certain skills are more in demand now that AI is involved. Candidates who know SQL, Python, data visualization, and cloud reporting tools receive better offers. The market is stronger for finance professionals who can leverage both data and AI to meet business needs.
At the director and head of FP&A salary level, automation often raises expectations. Leaders must set governance for models, own data quality, and demonstrate how automation supports decision-making. PwC’s survey reveals that 52% of CFOs and finance leaders report hiring people with the right skills to be a priority. The need for specific skills translates into higher pay for those equipped with exactly what companies are looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The average FP&A salary in 2025 is approximately $208,152 per year, or about $100 per hour. Monthly earnings average around $17,346, while weekly pay comes to about $4,000.
Entry-level professionals such as FP&A associates typically earn closer to $81,000 annually, while experienced leaders like FP&A directors or heads of FP&A, can earn up to $329,500 per year.
The highest average base salary and total compensation in an FP&A team will typically be the director/head or VP, who can earn up to $210,300 and $268,850, respectively.
Add on bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, and it’s easy to see that a career in FP&A can be highly lucrative.
Yes, FP&A can be a stressful job, especially for senior management.
During busy periods, there can be long days and weekend work, and ad hoc reports from senior leaders will need to be completed as soon as possible.
FP&A typically pays better than technical accounting jobs. Many FP&A analysts are, in fact, CPAs with accounting experience, and move to FP&A on account of the higher compensation.
No, you don’t need a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification to get a job on an FP&A team.
However, a CFA is the most prestigious credential for financial professionals. It strengthens your background in finance fundamentals and makes you more competitive when applying for FP&A roles.
In a study carried out on 500 top FP&A positions, including companies such as Netflix, Apple, and Tesla, 15% mentioned a CPA as preferable.
For instance, a senior finance analyst FP&A role at Johnson & Johnson says: “MBA, financial certification in ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CMA, or other equivalent is preferred.”
In addition, many courses provide FP&A certification, which can help improve your finance skills and give you an advantage over the competition.
Many CFOs are CPAs or CFAs who have spent part of their career in FP&A roles.
Plenty of CFOs, many of whom come from large companies such as Papa John’s and Hubspot, started in FP&A and rose to CFO.
In fact, according to Deloitte, 47% of CFOs had some experience in FP&A before stepping up to the C-suite.
An MBA is also useful when it comes to landing an FP&A role. 34% of top job listings ask for an MBA, while Kedar Kale, MENA FP&A at Amazon, says:
“The strength an MBA brings to an FP&A role is in terms of better business acumen, presentation skills, and the ability to connect the dots.
However, an MBA who has not studied finance or accounting courses, whether pre-MBA or as a part of the MBA, would find it difficult to develop comfort with the heavy financial data, at least initially.”
FP&A compensation depends on several variables, including experience level, company size, industry, and location. For example, a senior FP&A analyst’s salary in a tech company will usually exceed that of a similar role in manufacturing due to higher margins and greater complexity.
Certifications like CFA or CPA, exposure to executive decision-making, and proven forecasting accuracy also drive pay increases. Leadership roles such as FP&A director or head of FP&A command significantly higher salaries because of their strategic influence and accountability.
FP&A professionals who learn to use AI forecasting tools, automate reporting, and interpret advanced analytics see faster FP&A salary progression. Automation increases demand for analysts who can explain AI-generated insights to leadership.
As a result, FP&A professionals with strong data storytelling and strategic planning skills often earn above-average FP&A salaries in modern corporate finance environments.
The financial planning and analysis career path generally starts with entry-level roles such as FP&A associate, focused on data gathering and modeling. The next step is senior FP&A analyst, where professionals refine forecasting and budgeting skills. FP&A managers, heads, and FP&A directors oversee teams and influence business strategy. The final stage is CFO.
An FP&A manager’s salary is around $129,886 annually, while an FP&A director’s salary averages between $161,000 and $261,000, depending on company size, industry, and location.
FP&A salaries generally outpace traditional accounting roles since they involve strategic forecasting and influencing executive decisions. While accountants focus on historical data, FP&A professionals drive future performance, making it a more lucrative and dynamic career.
FP&A professionals should focus on developing strong data visualization, automation, and storytelling skills. Earning certifications (CFA, CPA, etc.), mastering AI tools, and gaining cross-functional exposure can significantly increase earning potential along the financial planning and analysis career path.
