Finance Industry Salaries in USA 2025
What bankers, analysts, and finance professionals really earn
Finance Salary Range (By Role & Level)
Finance Industry Overview 2025
Finance remains one of the highest-paying industries in America, offering paths from entry-level analysts to managing directors earning millions. The sector spans investment banking, asset management, private equity, corporate finance, accounting, insurance, and the rapidly growing fintech space.
This pillar provides comprehensive salary data across finance careers. Whether you're targeting Wall Street investment banking, corporate FP&A, accounting, or fintech, you'll find relevant benchmarks here.
Finance compensation is notoriously bonus-heavy, especially in investment banking and trading. Base salaries tell only part of the story—total compensation including bonuses can double or triple base pay at senior levels.
Finance Pay Snapshot: 2025
| Role Category | Total Compensation 2025 |
|---|---|
| Financial Analyst (Entry) | $65,000–$85,000 |
| Senior Financial Analyst | $90,000–$130,000 |
| Investment Banking Analyst | $150,000–$200,000 (all-in) |
| Investment Banking Associate | $250,000–$350,000 (all-in) |
| Investment Banking VP | $350,000–$500,000 (all-in) |
| Private Equity Associate | $200,000–$400,000 |
| Hedge Fund Analyst | $150,000–$300,000+ |
| Corporate Finance Manager | $120,000–$180,000 |
| CFO (Large Company) | $400,000–$1,000,000+ |
| CPA / Senior Accountant | $70,000–$120,000 |
Salaries by Finance Sector
Investment Banking
Investment banking offers the highest entry-level compensation in finance. First-year analysts at bulge bracket banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan) earn $110,000 base plus $80,000–$100,000 bonus, totaling $190,000–$210,000. Associates (post-MBA) earn $175,000 base plus $100,000–$175,000 bonus. VPs and Directors can exceed $500,000–$1M+. The tradeoff: 80–100 hour weeks are common. See our Investment Banking salary guide.
Private Equity & Hedge Funds
Buy-side roles often pay even more than banking. PE associates earn $200,000–$400,000 total; senior partners can earn $1M–$10M+ through carried interest. Hedge fund compensation varies widely—top performers earn millions, while average analysts earn $150,000–$300,000.
Asset Management
Mutual fund and asset management firms pay well but below banking. Analysts start at $80,000–$120,000, portfolio managers earn $200,000–$500,000+, and star PMs at large funds can exceed $1M+.
Corporate Finance (FP&A)
Corporate finance roles offer better work-life balance than banking. Financial analysts start at $65,000–$85,000, senior analysts earn $90,000–$130,000, managers $120,000–$180,000, and directors $150,000–$250,000. CFOs at Fortune 500 companies earn $500,000–$2M+.
Accounting
Public accounting (Big 4) starts at $60,000–$75,000, with seniors earning $80,000–$100,000, managers $100,000–$140,000, and partners $300,000–$1M+. Industry accounting typically pays 10–20% less but offers better hours. CPAs command 10–15% premiums.
Fintech
Fintech combines finance and tech compensation. Product managers earn $120,000–$200,000, engineers $100,000–$180,000, and executives can earn tech-level equity packages. See our Tech salary guide for engineering roles.
Total Compensation: Base vs. Bonus
Finance compensation is heavily bonus-weighted, especially in front-office roles:
| Role | Base Salary | Bonus | Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB Analyst (1st Year) | $110,000 | $80,000–$100,000 | $190,000–$210,000 |
| IB Associate | $175,000 | $100,000–$175,000 | $275,000–$350,000 |
| PE Associate | $150,000 | $100,000–$200,000 | $250,000–$350,000 |
| Hedge Fund PM | $200,000 | $200,000–$2M+ | $400,000–$2M+ |
| Corporate FP&A Director | $180,000 | $30,000–$60,000 | $210,000–$240,000 |
Geographic Salary Variations
New York City
NYC remains the global finance capital. Wall Street roles pay 20–40% above national averages. Investment banking, hedge funds, and PE are concentrated here. See our New York salary guide.
Other Finance Hubs
San Francisco (fintech, VC), Chicago (trading, derivatives), Boston (asset management), and Charlotte (banking operations) also offer strong finance employment. Connecticut (Greenwich) hosts many hedge funds.
Remote & Hybrid
Post-pandemic, many back-office and corporate finance roles have gone hybrid. Front-office roles (banking, trading) still largely require in-office presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average finance salary in 2025?
It varies enormously. Entry-level corporate finance analysts average $70,000–$85,000; investment banking analysts earn $190,000+ total. Senior roles range from $150,000 (corporate) to $500,000+ (banking/PE). The median across all finance roles is approximately $85,000–$100,000.
Which finance jobs pay the most?
Investment banking MDs ($500K–$2M+), private equity partners ($1M–$10M+), hedge fund portfolio managers ($500K–$10M+), and Fortune 500 CFOs ($500K–$2M+). Carried interest and performance bonuses drive the highest compensation.
Is investment banking worth it?
Financially, yes—first-year analysts earn $200K+ and can reach $500K+ within 5–7 years. The tradeoff is brutal hours (80–100/week), high stress, and limited work-life balance. Many use banking as a springboard to PE, hedge funds, or corporate roles with better lifestyle.
CPA vs. CFA: Which pays more?
CFAs (investment-focused) typically earn more—average $150,000–$250,000 vs. CPAs at $80,000–$150,000. However, CPAs have broader job options, and Big 4 partners earn $300,000–$1M+. Both credentials provide strong career returns.