Investment services is a broad and lucrative field encompassing positions like wealth advisors, financial analysts and investment bankers. Professionals in this field enjoy strong career prospects and impressive salary packages. According to Glassdoor data, the average base salary for an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs is $85K. Vice presidents take home $163K on average while managing directors earn around $438K. At Morgan Stanley, analysts receive $87K, VPs get $190K and MDs make $451K. Salaries are similarly high at other top firms like JP Morgan, Credit Suisse and Barclays. Beyond banking, financial advisors at leading wealth management firms like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley make $101K to $274K on average. Portfolio managers at top asset management firms like BlackRock and Vanguard take home $200K to $500K+, with bonuses adding another 50-100% on top. Clearly, investment services offers lucrative pay at all levels, from junior analysts and associates to seasoned managing directors and fund managers.
Junior investment professionals draw competitive salaries
Junior roles like investment banking analysts and financial advisors straight out of college can expect to earn $70K – $120K at top Wall Street firms and wealth management companies. Base salaries range from $85K – $100K, with year-end bonuses adding another 20% – 50%. Associates are the next level up, taking home around $150K – $250K all-in at elite banks and asset managers. They take on more responsibilities and start managing teams of junior bankers. Other popular junior roles include equity research associates, traders and investment associates at mutual funds and hedge funds, all offering six-figure comp right out of undergrad.
VPs and mid-level professionals earn $200K – $300K+
After 3-5 years of experience, investment services professionals reach the VP level and see their earnings jump to over $200K. VP investment bankers make ~$190K at Goldman and Morgan Stanley. VP portfolio managers and traders take home $250K – $350K between base and bonus. VPs manage deal teams and client relationships and are on the partner track. Other mid-career roles like equity research VPs and investment strategists earn $200K – $275K. This experience level presents an earnings jump before hitting senior leadership.
Managing directors and senior leaders command $500K+
After 8-10+ years, investment pros reach senior roles like managing director at banks and fund managers. MDs take home multi-hundred base salaries plus bonuses averaging $350K – $550K+ at top Wall Street banks. So MDs make around $450K – $650K all-in, with some MDs making over $1M in strong markets. Senior portfolio managers at mega asset managers like BlackRock earn similar amounts. Wealth management MDs at Morgan Stanley make $274K on average. Regional bank SVPs and heads of investment groups earn $250K – $750K+. Clearly, major earnings potential exists in senior investment services roles.
Bonuses can add 50% or more to base salaries
Annual performance bonuses are a major component of compensation in investment services across asset management, banking and wealth advisory. Bonuses represent 30% – 100%+ of base salaries. For example, Goldman Sachs MDs make a $500K base but got bonuses of $948K in 2022 – nearly 2X base. Morgan Stanley MD bonuses averaged $700K+ in 2022. Portfolio manager bonuses also added 50% – 100% on top of base compensation. Bonuses reward individual and firm performance and keeps top talent engaged and motivated year after year.
In summary, investment services offers highly attractive salaries across entry-level, mid-career and senior roles at leading banks, wealth management firms and asset managers. Top professionals can expect base salaries ranging from $85K to $500K+, with substantial bonuses adding another 30% to over 100% on top. Investment services represents one of the highest paying fields based on Glassdoor data on thousands of companies and positions.