Investment Banker Salary UK (2026)
The UK median Investment Banker salary is £85,000 per year. Entry-level: £55,000 · Senior: £220,000. Also known as: M&A Analyst, Corporate Finance Associate, ECM Analyst.
UK-wide salary distribution
Investment Banker hiring market in the UK
Demand for Investment Bankers in the UK has been steady, neither contracting nor expanding sharply, with employer hiring tracking broadly in line with replacement need. The highest-paying UK city on this site for the role is London at £108,800 median, which is roughly what a competent mid-level practitioner can expect to earn there with three to five years of experience.
Pay progression for a Investment Banker in the UK is rarely linear. Most of the gain happens at three points: the move from entry-level to mid (typically in years 2–3), the move into senior or principal positions (years 6–8), and, for those who pursue it, a lateral jump into management, consulting or independent contracting. Sitting in the same role waiting for inflationary increases is by some distance the slowest path; changing employer every three to four years remains the dominant pay-rise mechanism in the UK labour market.
Investment Banker salary by UK city
| City | Lower quartile | Median | Upper quartile | vs UK avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £76,800 | £108,800 | £179,200 | +28% |
| Cambridge | £69,000 | £97,750 | £161,000 | +15% |
| Oxford | £67,800 | £96,050 | £158,200 | +13% |
| Reading | £67,200 | £95,200 | £156,800 | +12% |
| Edinburgh | £64,800 | £91,800 | £151,200 | +8% |
| Bristol | £63,600 | £90,100 | £148,400 | +6% |
| Brighton | £63,000 | £89,250 | £147,000 | +5% |
| Milton Keynes | £63,000 | £89,250 | £147,000 | +5% |
| Aberdeen | £62,400 | £88,400 | £145,600 | +4% |
| Southampton | £62,400 | £88,400 | £145,600 | +4% |
| Manchester | £61,200 | £86,700 | £142,800 | +2% |
| Leeds | £60,000 | £85,000 | £140,000 | +0% |
| Birmingham | £58,800 | £83,300 | £137,200 | -2% |
| Glasgow | £58,200 | £82,450 | £135,800 | -3% |
| Cardiff | £57,000 | £80,750 | £133,000 | -5% |
| Nottingham | £56,400 | £79,900 | £131,600 | -6% |
| Liverpool | £55,800 | £79,050 | £130,200 | -7% |
| Sheffield | £55,800 | £79,050 | £130,200 | -7% |
| Newcastle | £55,200 | £78,200 | £128,800 | -8% |
| Belfast | £54,000 | £76,500 | £126,000 | -10% |
Take-home pay calculator · 2024/25
Investment Banker
£57,392/yr · £1,104/wk · effective rate 32.5%
| Gross salary | £85,000 |
| Pension (5%) | −£4,250 |
| Income tax | −£19,732 |
| National Insurance | −£3,626 |
| Net take-home | £57,392 |
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Core skills for Investment Bankers
- DCF modelling
- Pitch decks
- Valuation
- Deal execution
- Client relations
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Investment Banker salary in the UK?
The average UK Investment Banker salary is £85,000 per year (ONS 2025). The lower quartile is £60,000 and the upper quartile is £140,000.
Where do Investment Bankers earn the most in the UK?
Investment Bankers earn most in London (£108,800 median), followed by Cambridge (£97,750) and Oxford (£96,050). See the full city table above.
What qualifications does a Investment Banker need?
Core skills and qualifications for Investment Bankers include: DCF modelling, Pitch decks, Valuation, Deal execution, Client relations. Entry-level roles start at around £55,000; senior positions reach £220,000+.
Is Investment Banker a good career in the UK?
The career outlook for Investment Bankers is medium. Salaries have grown broadly in line with wage inflation, with experienced professionals in high-cost cities (London, Cambridge, Oxford) earning 15–30% above the UK median.