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Sector

Careers in Investment & Securities

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.

2.1M
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$82K
Median salary
Across all roles
Investment & Securities jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Investment & Securities employment by metro · ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ46K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA20K
3.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN17K
4.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX15K
5.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV14K

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

1.Trenton-Princeton, NJ605.9
2.Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT576.9
3.San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA509.4
4.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ499.4
5.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA486.8
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Investment & Securities

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.

How people break in

Target school recruiting for analyst programs. MBA for associate hiring. Boutiques and middle market offer alternative paths.

Work environment tends toward
Intense hoursHigh compensationElite recruitingDeal-drivenExit opportunities
Industries it connects to
Financial ServicesPrivate EquityCorporateLegal
Salary vs. national average
+15%
$82K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$38K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all investment & securities roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$93K
2. Boulder$80K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$77K
4. Durham-Chapel Hill$71K
5. Trenton-Princeton$71K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

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.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $105K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $89K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $84K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $93K adj.
Boulder · $80K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $77K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 21.3M
Los Angeles · 13.7M
Chicago · 9.8M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

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.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Financial Services data
13%
People tend to stay in Financial Services. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
9%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
98%
Small
<50
2%
Mid
50–249
1%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Remote-friendly
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Financial Services data
~1%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
1%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Investment & Securities

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Business Operations · Banks, insurance, and investment firms are process-heavy and compliance-driven. Precision matters. Strong path to senior ops roles with competitive pay.
14%
$83K median
Explore →
Admin & Office · Banks and insurance companies are process-driven environments. Strong attention to detail, compliance awareness, and good pay for experienced admins.
14%
$77K median
Explore →
Sales · Financial product sales including banking services, insurance policies, investment products, and wealth management services.
12%
$82K median
Explore →
Finance · Banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. The heart of finance careers. Analytical rigor, deal exposure, clear progression.
10%
$84K median
Explore →
Marketing · Compliance-heavy, trust-driven. Everything gets reviewed by legal. Strong in content marketing and thought leadership — less flashy, more precise.
6%
$71K median
Explore →
Arts & Media
5%
$80K median
Explore →
Median salary for occupations employed within Investment & Securities. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Investment & Securities

Understand your strengths, plan your next move, and build your career record.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.