Reports

The CFO Salary Benchmark 2025 - Download the Report

Luc Hancock CFO Connect

Finance leaders are facing their biggest career disruption in decades — and most don't see it coming.

Our 2025 survey of 600+ finance professionals across 40+ countries revealed a shocking truth: for the first time in our survey's history, finance salaries dropped 6.2%.

This unprecedented decline exposes critical trends reshaping compensation, job security, and career advancement in finance.

Our fifth annual CFO Salary Benchmark Report reveals which finance professionals are better positioned for success and which ones are considering new roles. Whether you're a CFO protecting your team or a finance professional plotting your next move, this data will reshape your strategy.

Discover how your salary stacks up

Download the report containing data from 600+ finance leaders to help you negotiate your salary.

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What's inside the report

1. Salary breakdown reveals industry winners and losers

Finance salaries declined 6.2% to €120,318 in 2025, but the story varies dramatically by role, company size, age, and location. The report reveals detailed compensation data across all job titles, company stages, industries, and age groups — showing exactly where the winners and losers are.

2. The gender pay gap widens in key markets

Men earn 25% more than women across finance. While the overall gap improved slightly, it widened dramatically in Germany (40%) and the UK (35%). The report breaks down how this gap grows with age and seniority, plus which roles buck the trend.

3. Half of finance professionals plan to leave

Nearly 49.5% of finance professionals are considering new roles — the highest rate we've ever recorded. More than half cite salary as their primary motivation. The data reveals which roles show the highest dissatisfaction and what's driving this unprecedented discontent.

4. AI brings productivity but uncertainty

While 82.9% say technology has made them more productive and 92% believe tech skills are crucial for advancement, only 51.6% are excited about AI's impact. The report explores this cautious optimism and what it means for finance careers.

5. Geographic salary shifts reveal new winners

The traditional salary hierarchy is changing across markets. Some countries saw significant growth while others declined sharply. The report maps out which locations offer the best opportunities and reveals surprising regional trends that could reshape your career strategy.

Why This Matters

CFOs don't need more generic salary data. They need to understand the specific patterns reshaping finance careers and how to position their teams — and themselves — for success.