Finance
Investment Banker — Career & Salary Intelligence
Investment Banker careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$180,000
Entry (p10)
$100,000
Top 10% (p90)
$400,000
Career score
78/100
Strong Career
Career overview
Investment Banker careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 75/100. Automation risk 35/100. Remote-work compatibility 40/100.
Salary by experience
National baseline before location adjustments.
| Level | Years | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0–2 yrs | $135,000 |
| Junior | 3–5 yrs | $159,750 |
| Mid | 6–10 yrs | $180,000 |
| Senior | 11–15 yrs | $234,000 |
| Lead / Principal | 16–20 yrs | $288,000 |
| Executive / Top Performer | 20+ yrs | $339,840 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $336,600 | $748,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $316,800 | $704,000 |
| Toronto, ON | 135 | $243,000 | $540,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $192,600 | $428,000 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $172,800 | $384,000 |
| Montreal, QC | 98 | $176,400 | $392,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $187,200 | $416,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $181,800 | $404,000 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $162,000 | $360,000 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $288,000 | $640,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $185,400 | $412,000 |
| Calgary, AB | 107 | $192,600 | $428,000 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $126,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $148,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $180,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $225,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $279,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $202,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
CFA — Chartered Financial Analyst
Investment management gold standard
Approx. uplift: +18%
CPA — Certified Public Accountant
Required for senior accounting roles
Approx. uplift: +14%
FRM — Financial Risk Manager
Risk and treasury seniority
Approx. uplift: +10%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
78/100
Strong
Strong Career
Compensation
100/100
Excellent
Growth
80/100
Excellent
Demand
86/100
Excellent
Stability
75/100
Strong
Advancement
52/100
Moderate
Remote flexibility
40/100
Weak
Frequently asked questions about Investment Banker
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.