Financial Services
Empowering Financial Resilience
Financial Services is the backbone of how people and businesses manage money. This includes banking, insurance, real estate, accounting, investing, and the fast-growing world of financial technology (FinTech). Whether you're helping someone save for college, guiding a business through a budget, or designing the next money app, this cluster is full of opportunities to work smart and create impact.
Why We Love Financial Services
The financial system isn’t just big—it’s massive. While Americans collectively earn about $20 trillion each year, the total value of financial transactions in the U.S. tops $9 quadrillion. That means the flow of money—and the people who manage it—shape everything from personal budgets to global economies.
This cluster is ideal for people who are practical, efficient, and results-driven. If you like working with data, solving real-world problems, and making smart financial choices, there’s a path here for you. Many careers offer strong salaries, room for advancement, and clear entry points—especially in banking, accounting, real estate, insurance, and FinTech. You don’t need to start with a four-year degree to find success, but if your sights are set on elite investment firms, networking and education matter.
But this field isn’t just about money. It’s about: 1) Helping people build better futures; 2) Solving financial puzzles with real impact; 3) Creating systems that power the economy; 4) Building trust through numbers and logic.
Example Career: Loan Officer
Average Salary: $65,740/year
Where People Work
Banks and credit unions
FinTech startups and payment platforms
Insurance agencies
Real estate brokerages
Investment and wealth management firms
Accounting and tax offices
Government finance departments
Corporate finance and risk teams
FinTech product manager
Cybersecurity analyst for digital banks
Sustainable finance strategist
Cryptocurrency advisor
Venture capital associate
Data analyst for investment platforms
Cool Jobs
Accounting
Banking & Credit
Financial Strategy & Investments
Insurance
Real Estate
Sub-Industries
Top Tips
Do I need a four-year degree?
Not always. Many roles—like bank teller, insurance rep, real estate agent, or bookkeeping assistant—start with a certification, state license, or associate degree. You can grow into analyst, advisor, or manager roles with experience and additional credentials.
What about Wall Street, hedge funds, and big investments?
These careers are prestigious and profitable—but also highly competitive. There aren’t many entry-level roles, and firms often recruit from top universities. If you're serious about this path, plan to: 1) Earn a 4-year degree in finance, economics, or business; 2) Find an internship in the industry to start building your network; 3) Leverage connections—relationships matter as much as your résumé; 4) Establish a reputation for excellence and follow through.
Once you’re in, opportunities can grow fast—but access starts with the right education, experience, and who you know.
What is FinTech, and how can I get into it?
FinTech stands for financial technology—apps, platforms, and services that make managing money faster, smarter, and more accessible. Think Venmo, Robinhood, Stripe, or budgeting apps. Roles include: UX designers for financial tools, cybersecurity for digital banking, AI and data analysis, and product management.
FinTech is growing rapidly and offers more flexible entry points, especially for people with tech skills or creative thinking. It’s also an exciting way to shape the future of finance.
Is day-trading a real career?
Day-trading means buying and selling stocks frequently to try to make fast profits. While it’s one way to learn about investing, it’s risky and not recommended as a long-term job for most people. Some people get lucky, but many more lose money. If you're curious, try starting small through platforms like E-Trade, Schwab, or Robinhood—but learn first, and don’t risk more than you can afford to lose.
Hear from someone in Financial Services
This content is based on the National Career Clusters® Framework, a national initiative led by Advance CTE. Advance CTE works to empower every learner to pursue career success through high-quality CTE programs. Their modernized framework helps connect education to real-world career opportunities and is used across the United States to guide career exploration and planning. The research and development of this content was led by Sheri Smith, founder of Indigo, and Dr. Alexandria Wright, who served as co-principal investigators for the project.