3 Careers Perfect for Women in the Finance Industry

When most people think of the finance industry, they picture men in suits working in high-paced, testosterone-induced, stressful environments. In reality, there are many women who enjoy the thrill of working in such atmospheres, competing against their counterparts for industry success.

Are you a woman who believes a finance career will bring you work-life balance and overall satisfaction? Where do you “fit in” with a field typically dominated by men?

Here are three careers for women with financial backgrounds, education or skills, and the salaries behind those job titles:

1. Careers for Women in Finance: Financial Planner

Financial planning is the art of developing plans for long-term profits, creating greater returns from assets and market share growth, and finding solutions to foreseeable problems. As a financial planner, your job is to help your employer or clients meet their own long-term financial goals. You will analyze the individual or corporation’s status consistently, and you will implement programs for achieving those objectives.

The way women interact with clients is what makes them so great in this finance profession. Women tend to listen to clients more attentively, and they exhibit compassion, empathy, patience and understanding for others. These qualities are key for helping clients develop financial goals and coming up with recovery plans for devastating financial events.

According to US News Financial Advisor Salary Details, in 2014, the annual median salary for this job title was $81,060 annually. The lowest pay in this field was under $35,000 per year, with the highest being over $187,199 per year.

2. Careers for Women in Finance: Investment Advisor

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports that an investment advisor is a firm or professional individual in the business of giving clients advice about securities. As an investment advisor, you receive compensation for advising others on investing in mutual funds, stocks, exchange traded funds and bonds.

Women in the financial industry tend to succeed as financial advisors because of their natural ability to coach others. Some women even build lucrative careers as financial coaches. Studies have shown that women are better at trading than men because, typically, women are less likely to take adverse risks, and they conduct extensive research before taking leaps and following “rules.”

Payscale reports the average investment advisor salary as $64,759 per year. The lowest on the salary scale for this finance career is $39,394 annually, with the highest paid being $150,427 annually.

3. Careers for Women in Finance: Asset Manager

Asset managers systematically operate, deploy, upgrade, dispose of and maintain assets for clients or employers. They manage the investments of others in a cost-effective manner.

Women in finance make great asset managers, especially when they work for or with industries with very little gender barriers. Some of these industries include beauty, boutiques, parenting, and so on.

You tend to stand out because this field is still male-dominated, so advancement opportunities are abundant. Plus, with more women becoming financially successful, there is a need for more women in the finance industry to represent and advise them. According to Payscale.com, the median salary for an Asset Manager is $71,765 annually. The salary low in for this financial career is $43,490 per year, with a high at $116,964 per year.

Start a New Career as a Woman in Finance

As a woman, you have the potential to stand out in any male-dominated industry with hard work and dedication. Your mindset with money tends to be different than that of men, which is an advantage. The more women take charge of their own businesses, investments and overall finances, the more they will seek other women to advise and assist. There are many careers that are perfect for women in the finance industry.