Learn More About Finance Classes in Atlanta
The finance scene is making a name for itself in Atlanta. As a major FinTech and payment processing hub processing an estimated 70% of financial transactions globally, Atlanta’s been dubbed “Transaction Alley.” The city’s top 50 FinTech firms employ more than 30,000 professionals and contribute more than $72 billion to Georgia’s economy. Finance professionals who want to step into this growing job market will find both traditional finance and FinTech opportunities. Atlanta offers competitive salaries and has a rich, diverse talent pool of skilled new graduates and veteran finance professionals.
Atlanta Finance Career Paths & Salaries
The job market for finance professionals is strong in Atlanta. With companies like Home Depot and Coca-Cola generating millions of dollars here, there’s no shortage of financial activity. Although the average salary in Georgia is close to $60,000, finance professionals in the Atlanta area earn significantly more, with an average salary of around $85,000. More senior positions will see the highest wages, while entry-level positions typically start around $77,000. There are many career paths in finance, including financial management, financial analysis, credit analysis, and personal financial planning.
- A Financial Manager is responsible for the overall financial health of an organization through creating financial reports, directing investment opportunities, and developing long-term financial strategy. A Financial Manager in Atlanta typically earns around $121,000 per year.
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Financial Analysts analyze financial data to create business forecasts, explore investment opportunities, and uncover trends that can be used to make data-driven decisions. These professionals average a salary of $94,000 in Atlanta.
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Investment Bankers advise entities on raising capital, acquisitions, mergers, and selling businesses through research and financial modeling. An Investment Banker's average salary in Atlanta is $114,000.
- A Financial Risk Specialist focuses on an organization’s financial stability by identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential risks like regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, or credit risk. An Atlanta Financial Risk Specialist averages a $101,000 salary.
Atlanta Finance Industry & Major Companies
Atlanta’s economy is among the largest in the country, and the finance industry contributes a significant portion. Its reputation is growing as a key financial hub, with many major corporations, banking institutions, and venture capitalists. The city is able to attract and retain financial institutions because of its business-friendly environment and a deep and skilled talent pool from universities like Georgia Tech and Emory University.
FinTech is rapidly transforming Atlanta’s finance industry. Six of the ten largest US payment processors are headquartered here, and it is a regional banking center for the southeast. This sector bridges technology and innovation with traditional finance and includes things like mobile banking and online lending. Financial professionals employed in this sector may not need sophisticated tech skills, but an understanding of how the technology works is helpful.
Due to Atlanta’s diverse and robust economy, several finance-related industries are thriving. Their success is helping to push this southeastern city onto the global stage, gaining more interest among global investors. The commercial real estate sector is thriving and employs many finance professionals. Insurance also has a strong presence in the city, with companies like State Farm and Allstate having major offices here. Look to Midtown and Buckhead for some of the higher-profile finance-related job opportunities.
You’ll find several Fortune 500 companies in Atlanta, including the Intercontinental Exchange, Truist, and Equifax. Global investment manager Invesco is headquartered here, and a Federal Reserve Bank is also located in Atlanta. These companies are a major source of job opportunities, as are giants like Home Depot. Even though it’s not a finance company, it has a great interest in maintaining its finances, meeting fiscal goals, running a strong budget, and making smart investments to grow its wealth.
Each of these companies relies on finance professionals to keep budgets and investments aligned with their financial goals. In FinTech, you’ll find companies like Global Payments, Fiserv, Elavon, and Worldpay processing payments. Many professionals working in this sector of finance have skills in analytics, big data, and machine learning, in addition to a strong understanding of financial concepts and investing.
Finance Outlook in Atlanta
The finance industry has been expanding in recent years, which has led to wages growing faster than the national average. These wage increases are driven by the evolution of finance and FinTech and the need for professionals with both finance and tech skills. This combination of specialized skills has resulted in a tight talent pool to fill the highly specialized roles that are characteristic of the FinTech sector.
Technology and analytics are becoming a staple part of finance, causing companies to invest more in AI, automation, and algorithms while also reshaping finance roles. The increased reliance on tech has also led to more hybrid work models for finance professionals in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Flexible work options are becoming more common as they attract more talent and improve employee retention rates.