A Controller is a leadership position that requires formal education and several years of significant experience to achieve. You must have an aptitude for numbers, the ability to see big-picture financial trends to develop a strategy. A bachelor’s degree is essential—most commonly in finance, business, or accounting—and most Controllers obtain an MBA or similar post-graduate degree. Employers prefer candidates who are also Certified Public Accountants (CPA), a designation that requires some accounting experience and formal examinations. Aspiring Controllers may also consider an additional certification as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Then you’ll need at least five to ten years of direct experience in the industry and demonstrated management and people skills. Seek a position as an Assistant Controller, if possible, to gain concrete experience and advancement mentorship.

If you are interested in a Controllerjob, here are some kinds of positions to explore for this type of work with open positions on ZipRecruiter.

High Paying Controller Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Controller positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Senior Controller
Salary range: $102,500 - $153,500
Senior Controller is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Controller jobs pay between $102,500 (25th percentile) and $153,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Controller job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Entry Level Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.
Virtual Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
The qualifications that you need to become a virtual controller include a degree in accounting or finance, professional certification, and experience in accounting or bookkeeping. People in this telecommute position typically have several years of experience in a finance-related position, and some employers may require experience in a management position. In addition to being a bachelor's or master's degree holder, you also need to be either a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Because you work in a virtual environment, you need to understand the security, software, and connectivity issues related to cloud-based accounting. As with any remote position, you need strong communication skills in this career.
Temporary Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.
Freelance Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.
Full Time Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.
Temp Controller
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
Temp Controller is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Temp Controller jobs pay between $97,000 (25th percentile) and $138,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Temp Controller job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Controller Director
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.
Controller Manager
Salary range: $97,000 - $138,500
Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.
Executive Controller
Salary range: $68,500 - $112,000
The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.
Junior Controller
Salary range: $34,000 - $69,000
Junior Controller is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Controller jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $69,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Controller job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Controller Trainee
Salary range: $32,000 - $50,500
The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

All Jobs Controller Jobs 12 of the Most Popular Types of Controller Jobs in 2026