Top Paying Finance Jobs in Ireland: What You Need to Know in 2025

If you’re in training or about to qualify in the field of finance, you might be wondering what the top paying jobs in your industry are. Finance is often seen as a high paying sector and there are several careers in the industry which are likely to command a higher wage. If you’re keen to pursue a career in the most lucrative areas of finance, you may find it helpful to identify these key areas of growth in Ireland and plan your career path accordingly. 

Whether you are looking at joining a big name corporation to build up your experience or hoping to hone your skills with a start-up, ensuring you can make informed decisions about the areas you specialise in and how this might affect your future earnings is an essential foundation. Read on to find out more about the top paying finance jobs in Ireland and then take a look at our Accounting and Finance Jobs to find the best fit for you. 

Top Finance Roles

In the Irish job market, there are several growth areas that stand out as potential career routes for those who are ambitious and driven. The top roles in finance in Ireland at the moment are as follows:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the most senior executive within an organisation and will be ultimately responsible for overseeing financial performance as well as other aspects of the organisation. The nature of this role will depend upon the company and how it is run, but it will usually be primarily a strategic role that aims to improve financial security and growth, as well as legal compliance. To apply for a job as a CEO, an applicant would need to demonstrate expertise in several areas and a great deal of experience. This will usually be someone who has a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a significant amount of experience in the industry. The average annual salary for a CEO in Ireland is around €300,000 – €500,000.

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Chief Financial Officer in an institution is usually the senior executive responsible for the financial management of the organisation, creating financial strategy and taking responsibility for decision making related to finance. This is a technically skilled role which will involve preparing or organising the preparation of financial reports, regular statements and budgets, setting financial goals and ensuring compliance. The specialisms of the company will dictate the nature of this job and your previous experience will be crucial to any application. You should have several years of experience in financial roles as well as a degree in finance, economics or accounting, and be able to demonstrate the required soft skills such as strategic planning and leadership, as well as holding a degree in a subject such as finance, accounting or economics. A CFO will usually have spent time working as an accountant and can command a salary of around €150,000 – €400,000 per year.

• Chief Risk Officer. A Chief Risk Officer holds an important role in an organisation, identifying and assessing financial risks within the organisation and strategising to mitigate these risks and improve the efficiency of the business. This role carries a responsibility for ensuring compliance and monitoring risk, as well as dealing with financial crises as they occur. You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in finance, or in a related subject such as business, and will ideally have been in a management role for many years. This role will vary according to the organisation and field you are working within, and salaries usually range from around €200,000 – €350,000 per year.

• Chief Actuary. A Chief Actuary is a senior leader who takes responsibility for analysing financial risk, often working in key areas such as pensions and insurance, both privately and for government institutions. This type of role will usually require at least one degree in finance, statistics or mathematics, as well as several years of experience in the field. A Chief Actuary can expect to command a salary of around €130,000 – €320,000, depending on the size and type of organisation that employs them.

• Investment Banker. An Investment Banker works with business clients to provide financial services and advise on crucial matters that are related to finance. Private corporations and government institutions will work with Investment Bankers, and having certification from a professional body will help to build credibility in this role. Applicants for this type of role will usually have five to ten years of experience in the field of finance, and will usually hold a first degree in finance, economics or business, ideally with a postgraduate degree in a related subject. There is a large discrepancy in the type of salary an Investment Banker can expect, ranging from around €80,000 – €200,000, and this will depend upon the size and role of the organisation, as well as individual skills and experience. 

There are many other jobs that command high salaries in the financial industry, including positions such as Finance Director and Financial Advisor, and it is a good idea to explore the options and the implications of each type of role before deciding on a fixed career path if you are unsure. For instance, when choosing your degree, you should consider the way your subject will be perceived as well as your own preferences. 

Climbing the Ranks

Many of the top jobs require a great deal of experience and are suited to people who have spent at least a decade working in the financial industry. This means that heading for one of these roles is a long term plan and you move towards your goal in steps. It can be helpful to have a career plan that allows you to develop your skills and experience different roles, and we always advise speaking to people who are doing your dream job to find out the best pathways to get there. 

If you have not yet started working in the finance industry, it can be a good opportunity to identify where you may be able to develop the skills you need, including the soft skills that will be essential in your chosen role. Look at roles that include training opportunities and have the potential to upskill, and you will find that building yourself a strong portfolio will help you to stand out from the crowd and become a shoe-in for the top roles. 

Are You Looking For A Job In Ireland

Here at Careerwise, we work with talented professionals in many industries, including finance, to match with positions in top level companies and grow their careers. Our experienced team understands the stresses and challenges involved in the job hunting process and we will be with you every step of the way. 

CareerWise is Ireland’s leading specialist recruitment firm, based in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Dublin and Mayo. We specialise in the Engineering, Supply Chain, Science/Pharma, IT and Accounting industries in Ireland, and we will be happy to discuss the ways in which we can work together. Contact us online now or call us on +353 (0) 21 206 1900 to arrange a consultation.

Louise Mulligan

(Senior Recruitment Consultant) BBS CIPD – Mayo Office

Louise has a Marketing Degree from Limerick Institute of Technology. She has also completed a Certificate in Personnel Practice from the National College of Ireland. She is also CIPD accredited. She has 16 years Recruitment experience with Collins McNicholas (Dublin, Galway & Athlone), HRM (Dublin), Lionbridge (Mayo) and Team Horizon (Mayo & Dublin).

She has also worked in Quality Assurance in Allergan (Mayo) & with Ballina Beverages (Mayo).

She has successful recruitment experience involving key roles within Human Resources, Engineering, Quality Assurance and Planning for large multinational companies. She was involved in recruiting all levels including Senior Management for the Medical Devices, Electronic, Pharmaceutical & Manufacturing Industries both on the contracting and permanent side of the business. She has developed a Strong Network of Engineers built up over the last 16 years as she worked in the Mayo, Sligo, Dublin, Athlone and Galway Markets.

Louise has joined CareerWise in March 2017 with the responsibility of growing the business out of the new Mayo office with a primary focus on the West & North-West regions.

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