SOC 1131 Corporate managers and directors

Financial managers and directors Salary

Median salary £65,336 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £65,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For financial managers and directors, £76,447 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +96% versus the national average. Experienced financial managers and directors (top 25%) earn over £107,741.

About this role

Financial managers and directors lead financial strategy, reporting and compliance within organisations. They oversee accounting teams, manage budgets, ensure regulatory compliance and provide financial insight to support business decision-making.

Key responsibilities

Overseeing financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting
Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards
Managing treasury, cash flow and investment decisions
Leading finance teams and developing talent
Advising senior leadership on financial strategy and risk

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and significant post-qualification experience. Many hold additional qualifications in corporate finance or risk management.

Career outlook

Steady demand across all sectors. Growing emphasis on ESG reporting, digital finance tools and data analytics capabilities.

Key skills

Financial analysis Regulatory compliance Strategic planning Risk management Team leadership

Common industries

Financial services
All corporate sectors
Public sector
Professional services

Data coverage

SOC code 1131

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 430,000

Median Salary

£65,336

Mean Salary

£103,706

Jobs (000s)

430k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £16kP25: £38kMedian: £65kP75: £108kP90: £180k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£15,555

0-2 years

Mid Level

£37,887

3-7 years

Senior

£107,741

8-15 years

Leadership

£180,401

15+ years

Potential career growth: +1060% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +15.6%Real growth: -16.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 30.1%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£65,336

Full-time Only

£76,447

Full-time premium: +£11,111

Financial managers and directors salary: common questions

How much do financial managers and directors earn in the UK?

Financial managers and directors earn a median of £76,447 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £37,887 and £107,741.

Is £76,447 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for financial managers and directors?

Entry-level financial managers and directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £37,887, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £15,555.

How much do the highest-paid financial managers and directors earn?

The best-paid 10% of financial managers and directors earn over £180,401 a year, and the top 25% over £107,741 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have financial managers and directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median financial managers and directors pay has risen from £62,777 to £76,447 — +22% in cash terms, or -12% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for financial managers and directors?

Male financial managers and directors earn a median £77,749 and female financial managers and directors £54,368 — a gap of +30% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).