BLS SOC 13-2099 · Finance
Investment Banker Salary
Investment bankers advise corporations and governments on financial transactions including mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising. They structure complex deals and provide strategic financial guidance.
Data: BLS OEWS · 2026
National Median
$140,367
annual
25th Percentile
$108,083
annual
75th Percentile
$179,670
annual
90th Percentile
$224,587
annual
National Salary Distribution
P25: $108,083Median: $140,367P75: $179,670P90: $224,587
1
Top Paying Cities for Investment Banker
Ranked by median annual salary
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $193,000 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $187,000 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $185,000 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $171,000 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $167,000 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $165,000 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $160,000 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $154,000 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $154,000 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $149,000 |
2
Best After Cost of Living
Salary adjusted for cost of living (US avg = $100k)
| # | City | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $135,165 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $134,444 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $133,981 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $133,708 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $132,222 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $131,776 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $131,776 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $130,097 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $129,464 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $127,778 |
3
Investment Banker Salary — All Cities
All 30 metro areas, sorted by median salary
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $148,610 | $193,000 | $247,040 | $308,800 | 41,600 |
| Seattle, WA | $143,990 | $187,000 | $239,360 | $299,200 | 46,400 |
| New York, NY | $142,450 | $185,000 | $236,800 | $296,000 | 54,400 |
| Boston, MA | $131,670 | $171,000 | $218,880 | $273,600 | 33,600 |
| Washington, DC | $128,590 | $167,000 | $213,760 | $267,200 | 36,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $127,050 | $165,000 | $211,200 | $264,000 | 38,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $123,200 | $160,000 | $204,800 | $256,000 | 19,200 |
| Austin, TX | $118,580 | $154,000 | $197,120 | $246,400 | 30,400 |
| Portland, OR | $118,580 | $154,000 | $197,120 | $246,400 | 16,000 |
| Denver, CO | $114,730 | $149,000 | $190,720 | $238,400 | 22,400 |
| Dallas, TX | $111,650 | $145,000 | $185,600 | $232,000 | 28,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $108,570 | $141,000 | $180,480 | $225,600 | 28,000 |
| Houston, TX | $108,570 | $141,000 | $180,480 | $225,600 | 22,400 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $107,030 | $139,000 | $177,920 | $222,400 | 17,600 |
| Atlanta, GA | $106,260 | $138,000 | $176,640 | $220,800 | 24,000 |
| Raleigh, NC | $106,260 | $138,000 | $176,640 | $220,800 | 17,600 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $103,180 | $134,000 | $171,520 | $214,400 | 20,000 |
| Miami, FL | $101,640 | $132,000 | $168,960 | $211,200 | 17,600 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $101,640 | $132,000 | $168,960 | $211,200 | 14,400 |
| Nashville, TN | $100,100 | $130,000 | $166,400 | $208,000 | 14,400 |
| Charlotte, NC | $97,790 | $127,000 | $162,560 | $203,200 | 16,000 |
| Richmond, VA | $97,790 | $127,000 | $162,560 | $203,200 | 11,200 |
| Columbus, OH | $94,710 | $123,000 | $157,440 | $196,800 | 12,800 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $93,170 | $121,000 | $154,880 | $193,600 | 11,200 |
| Detroit, MI | $91,630 | $119,000 | $152,320 | $190,400 | 12,000 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $91,630 | $119,000 | $152,320 | $190,400 | 12,000 |
| Louisville, KY | $84,700 | $110,000 | $140,800 | $176,000 | 8,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $83,160 | $108,000 | $138,240 | $172,800 | 7,200 |
| Memphis, TN | $80,850 | $105,000 | $134,400 | $168,000 | 6,400 |
| El Paso, TX | $74,690 | $97,000 | $124,160 | $155,200 | 4,800 |
Top Skills for Investment Banker
Financial ModelingMergers & AcquisitionsCapital MarketsValuationDeal Structuring