The 16 Best-Paying Cities for Investment Bankers in the United States
Investment bankers can earn some hefty pay, helping to make it one of the most popular careers on Wall Street and the finance industry.
Here is everything you might want to know about what an investment banker does and how much someone can earn in the role.
What is an investment banker?
Investment banks work with companies, governments and institutions to help them raise money. Accordingly, investment bankers are advisors for everything from negotiating an acquisition, selling the company, issuing a corporate bond or company stock, underwriting financial transactions and more.
Like many roles in the finance industry, investment bankers have a well-defined hierarchy and pay structure, often ranging from investment banking analysts and associates to vice presidents and managing directors at the top.
Investment banking salary: How much do investment bankers get paid?
The average salary of an investment banker in the United States is $77,070 to $206,703, according to data from the professional social network Blind.
An investment banker’s total compensation typically includes a cash salary and bonus.
These are the 16 best-paying cities for investment bankers, across all levels, in the United States ranked by average total compensation, according to the more than 5 million verified professionals on Blind.
1. San Francisco
- Average total compensation: $206,703
- Median total compensation: $152,500
- Average salary: $120,046
- Median base salary: $90,000
2. Houston
- Average total compensation: $202,926
- Median total compensation: $170,000
- Average salary: $131,980
- Median base salary: $95,000
3. Milwaukee
- Average total compensation: $201,000
- Median total compensation: $125,000
- Average salary: $128,000
- Median base salary: $95,000
4. New York
- Average total compensation: $197,537
- Median total compensation: $155,000
- Average salary: $128,477
- Median base salary: $95,000
5. Minneapolis
- Average total compensation: $185,714
- Median total compensation: $157,500
- Average salary: $122,750
- Median base salary: $102,500
6. Chicago
- Average total compensation: $171,252
- Median total compensation: $150,000
- Average salary: $110,500
- Median base salary: $90,000
7. Nashville
- Average total compensation: $170,005
- Median total compensation: $135,000
- Average salary: $115,000
- Median base salary: $85,000
8. Washington, D.C.
- Average total compensation: $157,500
- Median total compensation: $105,000
- Average salary: $105,000
- Median base salary: $92,500
9. Los Angeles
- Average total compensation: $156,634
- Median total compensation: $135,000
- Average salary: $108,329
- Median base salary: $85,000
10. Charlotte, N.C.
- Average total compensation: $153,086
- Median total compensation: $132,500
- Average salary: $101,195
- Median base salary: $85,000
11. Boston
- Average total compensation: $149,227
- Median total compensation: $152,500
- Average salary: $97,159
- Median base salary: $87,500
12. Palo Alto, Calif.
- Average total compensation: $143,000
- Median total compensation: $135,000
- Average salary: $106,428
- Median base salary: $85,000
13. Atlanta
- Average total compensation: $140,114
- Median total compensation: $125,000
- Average salary: $94,314
- Median base salary: $85,000
14. Dallas
- Average total compensation: $116,357
- Median total compensation: $98,000
- Average salary: $86,125
- Median base salary: $82,500
15. Jacksonville, Fla.
- Average total compensation: $84,714
- Median total compensation: $80,000
- Average salary: $70,571
- Median base salary: $65,000
16. Salt Lake City
- Average total compensation: $77,070
- Median total compensation: $78,720
- Average salary: $69,747
- Median base salary: $60,000
Methodology
Blind analyzed the salaries and total compensation of investment bankers in the United States on its platform. Cities were ranked by the average total compensation, including cash salary and any bonuses. All data is self-reported by verified professionals on the professional social network Blind.