Innovators from all over have flocked to Cleveland to be part of the growing economy and take advantage of the numerous investing opportunities. Cleveland invests heavily in its healthcare and manufacturing industries, with CRBE stating that the region is seeing a considerable revamp of the city center, and major real estate developments have drawn in more big-name companies. Add to that the fact that tech and educational opportunities are abundant, which contributes to a well-rounded economy. With growing needs in these sectors and the continuous demand for skilled finance professionals, investing is a solid career to start in this unique corner of Ohio.
However, there’s ample reason to choose Cleveland beyond professional opportunities. Cleveland provides a quiet midwestern way of living that even a young professional would enjoy—not only because the cost of living is about 9% lower than the national average, according to Apartment Guide. There’s a desirable blend of city life and rural living in Cleveland, balanced out with enough cultural experiences to keep anyone entertained. The city is known for its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sports teams, and just a short drive in any direction leads to breathtaking nature walks. Cities like Cleveland illustrate why more professionals are moving away from big city living.
Careers and Salaries for Investing Professionals in Cleveland
Although investing professionals can work in all kinds of roles, these are some of the most commonly pursued paths. These salaries are estimates based on recent data, offering a general idea of what to expect while working in Cleveland's finance industry.
Title |
Role |
Average Salary (USD) |
Investment Banker
|
Provides clients with advice regarding investments. Serves as a conduit between investors and the company. Keep up with the market trends. |
~$67,000 to ~$104,000/year
($80,000 average)
|
Financial Analyst |
Analyzes financial data and gains insights about the market. Improves the financial standing of a company by offering advice. |
~$67,000 to ~ $96,000/year
($81,000 average)
|
Accountant |
Provides businesses and individual clients with financial advice based on data and market trends. Some specialize in investments, managing and tracking clients' investment performance. |
~$57,000 to ~ $89,000/year
($71,000 average)
|
Financial Advisor |
Provides advice on the various financial aspects related to a client, including business expenses and investments, as well as retirement funds and taxes. |
~$77,000 to ~ $141,000/year
($102,000 average)
|
What Are the Current Job Trends in Cleveland?
Cleveland has several educational and medical institutions that drive research initiatives and tons of innovation, predominantly in connection with tech. As such, the city has a growing number of jobs and a high demand for tech and finance pros. Although Cleveland is not necessarily considered a “tech hub, ” the region is slowly but surely rising to its potential. The low cost of living and low unemployment rate (4% as of December 2024) help explain the hidden potential this city has.
Major Industries in Cleveland That Hire Investing Professionals
Cleveland has several industries that reign supreme among the rest. They help drive innovation within the community and establish a healthy ecosystem for job-seeking professionals interested in finance and investment positions.
Healthcare and Research
Some of the world’s best healthcare facilities call Cleveland home and, as a result, companies of all kinds have followed. With more than 700 biomedical companies and over 30 research and education institutions in the area, the industry remains strong in the city. To provide the most updated, state-of-the-art care, hospitals and healthcare companies must consider their investment and funding opportunities. As such, investment professionals work in healthcare all the time to raise capital or manage budgets. They also analyze financial data to help the hospital maintain its business operations, which occur behind the scenes to support the internal operations.
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Cleveland Clinic: Cleveland Clinic consistently ranks in the top three healthcare providers in the country, having extensive experience in fields like cardiology, cancer treatment, and orthopedics. They hire roles like Investment Analyst and Chief Investment Officer to manage funds.
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University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center: UH Cleveland Medical Center is the main campus of this healthcare system and operates as a major provider throughout the Cleveland area, with over 150 locations within the metropolitan area alone.
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Case Western Reserve University: This private institution has a fiercely competitive medical school, ranking first in research and accepting just 6.2% of applicants.
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Abeona Therapeutics: With two office spaces and over 150 employees, Abeona Therapeutics is headquartered in Cleveland and serves as one of the leading researchers for rare diseases, focusing on cell and gene therapies.
Technology and Innovation
Cleveland has a strong tech industry that’s well-supported by others in the area. North East Ohio Region (Team NEO) shares that over 31,000 people already work within the industry in Northeastern Ohio, but more impressive is the 18% rise in tech professionals within just a few short years. Investment professionals assist tech startups by offering consulting services. In addition, a tech company or startup will likely hire a finance department that can assist with investments, market trends, financial analysis, and other procedures to ensure the financial health of the organization.
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IBM: The IBM Building is located in downtown Cleveland and hires positions like Financial Analyst and Financial Advisor to maintain the health of the company.
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Amazon: Amazon has several locations in Cleveland, like delivery stations and fulfillment centers. They also partner with local hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and universities.
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MRI Software: Contrary to what the name may suggest, this company specializes in real estate software used for managing properties and investment modeling.
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OverDrive: This digital library platform assists schools and libraries in providing ebooks, audiobooks, and other multimodal learning content to students. The company is headquartered in nearby Garfield Heights.
Finance and FinTech
Make It in Cleveland reports why businesses find Cleveland so attractive: they have the third most affordable office market in the country and the second largest amount of corporate headquarters jobs in the country. This, paired with the strong economy, means the finance sector in Cleveland is growing. Many who go into investing decide to stick within the finance industry, managing investment portfolios for clients or assisting businesses with their financial planning. Some may manage stocks and bonds, whereas others have a blend of these skills.
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JPMorgan Chase: This notable finance company has several locations throughout Cleveland that offer banking services in addition to investment management and lending services.
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Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: Cleveland serves as the fourth of 12 regional reserve banks comprising the Federal Reserve System.
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Splash Financial: Business Insider listed Cleveland-based company Splash Financial as the best company for comparing loan offers from different lenders, ensuring a rate that aligns with your needs and doesn’t impact your credit score.
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Huntington Bank: Huntington Bancshares is a billion-dollar company headquartered in Columbus, but has a significant presence in Cleveland as well.
Manufacturing Production
Manufacturing jobs are the second largest within the area, totalling at roughly 27,000, according to This is Cleveland. Not to mention, the region has more than 10,000 small or mid-sized companies that offer a tight-knit company culture, manufacturing everything from steel and medical devices to consumer goods and automotive parts. Investment is important to this industry, particularly as companies merge or acquire one another and have to combine resources or allocate new ones. Financial management is essential to the health of a company, so many Investment Analysts and Accountants play the role of finance whiz in these fields.
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Sherwin-Williams: This well-known paint company has a manufacturing plant in Cleveland and is renovating its new 36-story downtown headquarters that will employ over 4,000 individuals.
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Lincoln Electric: With headquarters in Cleveland, this manufacturer produces welding and safety equipment.
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Hyster Electric: Hyster Electric is another Cleveland-based company that manufactures forklifts and other similar machines that can handle transporting large materials.
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Lubrizol: Just outside of Cleveland in Wickliffe resides Lubrizol, a leading producer of chemical technologies and advancements.