Career Overview

• The job of an investment banker is to sell business equity to individuals who wish to invest. This business equity is often sold in the form of company stocks or bonds. Businesses use the money raised through investment bankers to expand their operations and become more profitable. Investment bankers usually must have a bachelor's degree in business or finance. Many investment bankers also hold a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) degree. In addition, bankers often must complete hands-on training with an employer in order to learn the details of different investments.
  
  

Typical Salary

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of 2008, the median annual salary for all financial sales jobs is $68,680. The career website Simply Hired reports a slightly lower average salary of $62,000 as of 2011. According to the BLS, the actual income of an investment banker can vary significantly based on bonuses and commissions earned from high-value sales deals.
  
  

Salary Variations

• The geographic location of an investment banker job can cause the salary to vary. New York City, for instance, has many different financial companies, and investment bankers are often in demand. In this location, the average salary is $73,000 per year, according to Simply Hired. In the smaller city of Raleigh, North Carolina, investment bankers earn an average salary of $63,000 per year. The level of education and experience held by an investment banker can also affect the actual amount of income.
  
  

Job Outlook

• According to the BLS, employment opportunities and salaries for investment bankers are projected to grow slowly but steadily in the foreseeable future. Specifically, employment in the financial service industry is expected to increase by 9 percent between 2008 and 2018. However, investment banking positions are very competitive. The BLS states that in order to receive the best opportunities and pay, individuals should obtain one or more degrees related to finance, and gain experience through investment banking internship programs.