Investment Banker Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents" (41-3031); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
Investment bankers advise corporations and governments on financial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. They structure complex deals and provide strategic financial guidance.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Investment Banker
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $167,890 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $102,290 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $101,200 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $100,760 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $97,670 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $86,740 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $81,370 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $79,590 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $78,160 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $77,870 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $149,152 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | 103.6 | $97,263 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $93,473 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $93,177 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $88,476 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $88,034 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | 103.1 | $84,140 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $83,587 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $80,686 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $79,406 |
Investment Banker Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $100,830 | $167,890 | $227,700 | $326,290 | 59,450 |
| San Francisco, CA | $73,920 | $102,290 | $161,150 | $265,690 | 10,420 |
| Boston, MA | $74,400 | $101,200 | $163,970 | $225,070 | 11,860 |
| Chicago, IL | $67,380 | $100,760 | $160,890 | $211,260 | 24,080 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $61,170 | $97,670 | $149,990 | $383,830 | 6,700 |
| Dallas, TX | $60,770 | $86,740 | $141,120 | $217,220 | 15,370 |
| Charlotte, NC | $60,830 | $81,370 | $131,680 | $206,240 | 9,890 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $53,770 | $79,590 | $126,950 | $220,130 | 990 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,340 | $78,160 | $127,340 | $171,550 | 21,050 |
| Austin, TX | $50,770 | $77,870 | $129,640 | $217,220 | 4,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $61,020 | $77,860 | $104,730 | $151,580 | 5,400 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $52,360 | $77,780 | $102,990 | $151,200 | 12,220 |
| Houston, TX | $50,070 | $77,550 | $130,730 | $217,490 | 10,140 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,280 | $77,540 | $111,650 | $165,180 | 3,770 |
| Portland, OR | $55,360 | $77,410 | $123,910 | $167,890 | 2,140 |
| Columbus, OH | $57,550 | $77,030 | $100,560 | $171,320 | 3,850 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,520 | $76,180 | $124,750 | $175,150 | 5,520 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,120 | $73,500 | $109,410 | $163,480 | 2,990 |
| Raleigh, NC | $47,260 | $71,990 | $105,500 | $178,630 | 2,540 |
| Denver, CO | $61,560 | $66,940 | $106,360 | $171,980 | 8,400 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $54,580 | $65,740 | $103,630 | $176,240 | 3,230 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,020 | $65,520 | $84,990 | $130,910 | 3,260 |
| Washington, DC | $57,930 | $64,300 | $104,840 | $173,090 | 8,070 |
| Miami, FL | $50,860 | $63,790 | $106,110 | $171,750 | 14,190 |
| Atlanta, GA | $50,700 | $63,610 | $102,330 | $182,970 | 9,530 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $51,980 | $62,710 | $100,400 | $162,380 | 3,110 |
| Nashville, TN | $48,900 | $60,590 | $98,230 | $151,620 | 4,880 |
| El Paso, TX | $50,070 | $59,280 | $84,130 | $133,240 | 700 |
| Memphis, TN | $47,300 | $58,500 | $85,320 | $134,770 | 2,210 |
| Louisville, KY | $49,920 | $57,310 | $83,000 | $132,170 | 2,060 |
5About the Investment Banker Role
Investment bankers advise corporations and governments on financial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. They structure complex deals and provide strategic financial guidance.
Compensation for Investment Bankers varies by metro — from $57,310 at the low end in Louisville, KY to $167,890 in New York, NY. The $110,580 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see investment banker salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Investment Banker salary in the US?
The national median Investment Banker salary is $78,660 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $56,540 and the 90th percentile reaches $212,880.
Which city pays Investment Bankers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, New York, NY has the highest median wage for Investment Bankers at $167,890 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). San Francisco, CA ($102,290) and Boston, MA ($101,200) are next.