Finance & Business · United States

Investment Banker Salary in United States

The United States median is $120,000 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $255,000.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Investment Banker pay in United States: Washington DC leads, Phoenix trails

The United States national median for a investment banker is $120,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $94,700 in Phoenix to $255,000 in Washington DC (2.7×).

Investment bankers advise on capital raising, mergers, and acquisitions. Common screening skills include Modeling, Valuation, M&A, and Negotiation.

A modeled national band runs about $55,200–$199,200 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +7% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +113% vs the national median; Phoenix sits -21%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A investment banker raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby finance & business titles on this site include Accountant, Financial Analyst, Marketing Manager, and Project Manager.

How to use Investment Banker pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($120,000), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $55,200 (10th) → $120,000 (median) → $199,200 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $255,000, with a local band about $141,000–$460,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$120,000
per year
Monthly (national)
$10,000
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$255,000
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$57.69
varies by city

Investment Banker salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$255,000
San Diego, CA$228,000
San Antonio, TX$160,000
Los Angeles, CA$102,000
Chicago, IL$102,000
Houston, TX$102,000
Dallas, TX$100,000
Philadelphia, PA$95,400
Phoenix, AZ$94,700

Investment Banker salary in other countries

Related Finance & Business salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a investment banker make in United States?
The national median is about $120,000 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $94,700 to $255,000.
Which United States city pays investment bankers the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $255,000 per year (+113% vs national).
Which United States city pays investment bankers the least?
Among observed cities, Phoenix, AZ is on the lower end at about $94,700 per year.
How many United States cities have investment banker salary data?
9 metros list observed investment banker percentiles in USD on this site.
Is investment banker in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +7% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.