Investment Banker Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$101,000
national median salary
$78,000 to $132,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $102,740 for Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051) across the United States, based on 361,980 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$63,720
25th percentile
$79,290
Median
$102,740
75th percentile
$133,340
90th percentile
$180,860
Workers surveyed
361,980
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$101,350
May 2025 release
$102,740
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051) rather than Investment Bankerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 13-2051Highest Paying
$140,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$105,000
Honolulu, HI
Lowest Paying
$77,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 13-2051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Investment Banker salary in the United States at $101,000 in 2026, within a range of $78,000 to $132,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $140,000, while Honolulu offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Bank prestige tier and deal flow drive enormous salary differences.
Investment Banker salary by city.
Skills that increase Investment Banker pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Investment Bankers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,140 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,140 per year
≈ +$13,130 per year
≈ +$12,120 per year
≈ +$11,110 per year
≈ +$11,110 per year
≈ +$10,100 per year
≈ +$10,100 per year
≈ +$9,090 per year
What you should know.
Bank prestige tier and deal flow drive enormous salary differences. Analysts and associates at bulge bracket firms (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan) earn 20 to 40% more than those at middle-market banks. Industry group specialization in technology, healthcare, or energy M&A further increases compensation potential.
Analysts start at $110,000 to $130,000 base with $80,000 to $120,000 bonuses. Associates earn $150,000 to $200,000 base with $100,000 to $200,000 bonuses. VPs reach $250,000 to $350,000 base. Managing directors earn $400,000 to $600,000 base with total compensation often exceeding $1 million.
Bonuses are the defining feature of investment banking pay, typically ranging from 50 to 100% of base salary. First-year analysts receive $80,000 to $120,000 bonuses at top firms. Total compensation for associates regularly exceeds $300,000 to $400,000 including year-end bonuses and stub bonuses.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Investment Bankers typically earn $91,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you an Investment Banker?
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Common questions about Investment Banker pay.
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