Where are the 6 figs jobs out of undergrad?

I know for sure that PT, MBB, and IB is in 6 figs but what about the rest of the jobs in finance? IM, S&T, MM, IR, and fintech? Jobs that pay 6 figures that only requires a 4 year degree, no CFA or PhD

35 Comments
 

I'm not sure why you are getting shit on here, because generally I think you are right. If you are able to get a union job out of high school and finish your apprenticeship, by the time you are 22-23 you will EASILY be making $100k. This is especially true of more niche "skilled" areas. (Think welding for example) Granted the ceiling for your salary if you stay in the union does not go up much, but there are plenty of guys who work IB analyst-like hours and can pull $300k plus/yr. People love to hate on blue collar jobs but if I wasn't in finance, I think it would probably be a great place to start. 

 

Software Engineers can get paid 6 figures out of undergrad. It's not an absolute, but it's pretty common if you put in the work.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Software engineers, actuaries (after 2-3 years though), pilots, petroleum engineers (drill baby drill), select chemical engineering jobs, select mechanical engineering jobs, and any type of high skill blue collar jobs with strong unions.

In super low cost of living areas, you're probably starting with high 5 figures. But you're definitely reaching 6 figures in 2-3 years.

 
Most Helpful

In terms of total comp potential:

Anything in Tech (only in the main US tech hubs and only at established name brands or well-funded startups - also tech roles at some finance firms): PM, SWE, DS/A, MLE, UXD/PD, UXR, TPM, RS / AS, PMM

Anything in High Finance (at major firms): IB, S&T, PE, GE, VC, HF, AM, PD, REPE / REIM, Infra-PE / Infra-IM, PhysComm, PrimeBroke, SS Research, PrivSecond, FoF, PrivCapAdv

Consulting: MBB / T2 / Top Boutiques

Anything in Quant Finance: QR, QT, QD, Quant MO, DeskQuant, etc

Sales-related (if you're good and the company pays well): B2B Tech Sales, Pharma / Med Device Sales, B2B Tech Pre-Sales / Solutions Architect / ProfServices, B2B Tech AM / CSM etc

"Select" Other Finance gigs: CorpBanking (at certain firms), PrivBanking (at certain firms)

"Select" Corporate jobs: LDPs / corporate function roles (at certain high paying tech companies)

"Select" Middle Office jobs: Risk (at certain firms)

"Select" Traditional Engineering: PetEng (at operators), MechE / HWE / EE (either in Tech or BigOil)

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 
"undefined"

In terms of total comp potential:

Anything in Tech (only in the main US tech hubs and only at established name brands or well-funded startups - also tech roles at some finance firms): PM, SWE, DS/A, MLE, UXD/PD, UXR, TPM, RS / AS, PMM

Anything in High Finance (at major firms): IB, S&T, PE, GE, VC, HF, AM, PD, REPE / REIM, Infra-PE / Infra-IM, PhysComm, PrimeBroke, SS Research, PrivSecond, FoF, PrivCapAdv

Consulting: MBB / T2 / Top Boutiques

Anything in Quant Finance: QR, QT, QD, Quant MO, DeskQuant, etc

Sales-related (if you're good and the company pays well): B2B Tech Sales, Pharma / Med Device Sales, B2B Tech Pre-Sales / Solutions Architect / ProfServices, B2B Tech AM / CSM etc

"Select" Other Finance gigs: CorpBanking (at certain firms), PrivBanking (at certain firms)

"Select" Corporate jobs: LDPs / corporate function roles (at certain high paying tech companies)

"Select" Middle Office jobs: Risk (at certain firms)

"Select" Traditional Engineering: PetEng (at operators), MechE / HWE / EE (either in Tech or BigOil)

Very good list. Let’s call it $100K 1 - 3 years out of college though depending on the position? But broadly, these are the professions that net you “six figures”.

 

Recruiters love active GitHubs with projects. They also love it when people write articles about some specific technology too.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Recruiters love active GitHubs with projects. They also love it when people write articles about some specific technology too.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

Nihil nulla est et similique nihil nisi blanditiis sunt. Sunt amet aliquam dicta ratione aut.

Delectus autem provident exercitationem tempore. Ut ex vel est exercitationem quos quia. Modi autem eveniet modi sed iure doloribus. In ratione ea quos est iure qui est. Fugiat nam sed quidem officiis.

Labore voluptas quo excepturi rerum animi et. Quia illo in ea sunt quis et.

Reprehenderit fugit aliquid molestiae quis provident voluptatem molestiae. Qui exercitationem ipsam aperiam est dicta. Quaerat possimus nihil aut quaerat non aut est.

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

Et animi voluptates illum ut accusantium. Necessitatibus eligendi consequuntur aliquam perspiciatis. Sit dolor tempora praesentium voluptates et. Suscipit vel in quo nam natus. Adipisci enim iste accusantium error id quod praesentium velit. Ducimus voluptate rem et provident voluptatibus.

Quos omnis qui ea rerum sit sint. Autem doloribus pariatur facilis error omnis.

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...”