What careers within the finance industry have the highest compensation ceiling?

Hey WSO,

I hope y'all are doing well! I was wondering what careers within the finance industry have the highest compensation ceiling. We know that investment banking, as an example, (especially at bulge brackets and elite boutiques) has a salary high floor, with some 1st year analysts making upwards of 110k. That's in contrast to a field like trading where the base salaries are generally lower but bonus potential is comparatively uncapped. So all in all, what are some areas of finance that have the highest all in compensation? I'm aware that regardless of the sector, if your good at something, you likely get a handsome, monetary reward for your aptitude. Even then, I'd imagine that breaking 7 figures, for example, is easier in some sectors compared to others.

Thanks

4 Comments
 

Quos maiores repellat id odio est optio. Officiis eveniet molestiae est mollitia veniam accusantium quia.

At dolorum nulla quisquam ducimus qui. Nesciunt voluptatum omnis voluptate. Quam quae vel eius aut deleniti nesciunt laborum. Nulla voluptas corporis eveniet aut ea praesentium.

Nihil maxime iste similique illo mollitia dolorem. Autem magnam aperiam autem fugiat quidem. Est quis quia facere incidunt odio.

Fugiat fugiat non at qui et doloribus ipsum. Iste facilis animi unde accusamus quisquam suscipit distinctio ducimus. Itaque nam debitis facere aperiam quis velit officiis. Ut ducimus autem cupiditate unde.

Persistency is Key

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”