Financial Advisor vs Investment Banker salary
In United States, a investment banker earns about 57% more than a financial advisor — $189,000 vs $120,000 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Finance & Business
Financial Advisor$120,000/yr
- Monthly
- $10,000
- Hourly
- $58
- Range
- $66,000–$186,000
- 10-yr outlook
- +13%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Investment Banker$189,000/yr
- Monthly
- $15,800
- Hourly
- $91
- Range
- $86,900–$313,700
- 10-yr outlook
- +7%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Financial Advisor | Investment Banker |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $66,000 | $86,900 |
| 25th | $93,000 | $138,000 |
| Median | $120,000 | $189,000 |
| 75th | $153,000 | $251,400 |
| Senior (90th) | $186,000 | $313,700 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Finance & Business comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a financial advisor or investment banker earn more in United States?
- A investment banker earns more, at about $189,000 per year vs $120,000 for a financial advisor — roughly 57% ($69,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A financial advisor typically earns $66,000–$186,000, while a investment banker earns $86,900–$313,700 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a financial advisor averages about $10,000 and a investment banker about $15,800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a financial advisor earns about $66,000 while a investment banker earns about $86,900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a financial advisor earns about $186,000 while a investment banker earns about $313,700 per year.
- Are financial advisor and investment banker similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Finance & Business category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.