Investment & Securities Careers
Investment banking advises on mergers, raises capital, and facilitates major financial transactions. Remote-friendly for many functions, with moderate formal credentials but intense informal competition.
Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density
Investment banking sits at the center of major financial transactions — there's satisfaction in advising on M&A deals, raising capital, and working on transactions that make headlines. Many find meaning in the intellectual challenge and deal intensity.
The challenge can come from the hours and pressure. Junior bankers work extremely long hours; 80-100 hour weeks during deals are common. The work is deadline-driven and client-demanding. Competition is intense for positions. The culture can be demanding.
The field varies by product and sector. M&A differs from equity capital markets, debt financing, or restructuring. Coverage bankers have different roles than product specialists. Bulge bracket banks operate differently than boutiques or middle-market firms.
For those who thrive here, the rewards are substantial: exceptional compensation, working on significant transactions, exit opportunities, and prestige. If you can handle the hours, thrive under pressure, and want finance careers at the highest level, investment banking offers unmatched opportunities and credentials.
Target school recruiting for analyst programs. MBA for associate hiring. Boutiques and middle market offer alternative paths.
Common roles in Investment & Securities
A curated look at the roles that shape Investment & Securities — from accessible ways in to senior destinations.
Median salaries range from ~$72K in mid-market metros to ~$105K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.
What the data says about this sector
Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Investment & Securities.
Small
<502%
Mid
50–2491%
Large
250+
Other sectors within Financial Services.
Common questions about Investment & Securities careers
What kinds of jobs exist in investment and securities?
The industry breaks into research (equity, bond, and research analysts), money management (portfolio, investment, and asset managers), trading (sales traders, day traders), client advisory, and the operations work — transfer agents, new accounts, dividends — that keeps trades settling behind the scenes.
How many people work in investment and securities?
Around 2.1 million people work in the investment and securities industry in the United States, from large asset managers and broker-dealers down to small advisory shops.
How much do investment and securities jobs pay?
The median salary is around $81,783 — higher than most industries — but the spread is wide. Operations and support roles sit below the median, while senior research and money-management roles can sit far above it, often with bonus-heavy pay.
What is a common way into the industry?
Research associate and research assistant roles are the standard first rung on the analyst track, while operations roles like new accounts or dividend processing offer a way in without a finance degree. Many client-facing and trading roles also involve securities licensing exams early on.
Is turnover high in investment and securities?
About 1.2% of workers in this sector quit in a typical month in 2024, so teams tend to be fairly stable — although individual desks and funds can churn faster when markets shift.
Find where you fit in Investment & Securities
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