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.