OUR TOP 7 PICKS FOR THE BEST PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS

With the banking sector rapidly leaping headfirst into innovation and technological wizardry, a dizzying array of fresh career paths have popped up for finance buffs. Honestly, it’s like a golden ticket for anyone curious about the finance world! You’ll see this trend in the sheer volume of job listings for big banks—just hop onto ZipRecruiter, and you’ll almost need a financial analyst just to filter through them all.

Sure, these roles often expect you to arrive with some niche know-how or experience tucked under your belt. But they pay accordingly—with meaty salaries and benefits that could make even the savviest penny-pincher grin. So if you’re itching to know which jobs offer the fattest paychecks in those skyscraper-laden banks, sit tight. We’re about to spill the beans on the best-paying gigs.

• Financial Analyst
• Loan Officer
• Investment Banker
• Credit Analyst
• Financial Manager
• Portfolio Manager
• Branch Manager

FINANCIAL ANALYST

So, what exactly does a financial analyst do (besides stare deeply into screens filled with numbers)? These are the folks peering through spreadsheets and news headlines trying to anticipate the next market move. They’re the pulse-checkers of banks—sifting through financial statements, gauging market trends, keeping an eye on regulation shifts, and basically ensuring the fiscal heart keeps beating.

A typical day? Think of them as financial detectives: dusting for clues in historic data, toying with forecasting models, and advising on smart, strategic moves. If you’re making a choice that determines the bank’s fortune, odds are, a financial analyst whispered something in your ear first.

In short, they’re crucial when it comes to making (or losing) bank money. These professionals size up risks, concoct strategies, and pitch investment options that fit the bank’s appetite (or diet) for risk and long-term dreams. Financial analysts often team up with financial advisors and wealth managers—what a power trio!

For all this number crunching and decision-making, the median salary lands at a respectable $91,580 per year. Of course, where you are and how many stripes you’ve earned can nudge that number up or down.

LOAN OFFICER

Loan officers are the finance world’s friendly gatekeepers. They’re the ones walking clients through the sticky maze of loans—be it a cozy mortgage for your dream home or a quick personal loan to tide you over. It’s not all sipping coffee and rubber-stamping approvals, though. Loan officers have a keen eye for spotting risk, poring over credit apps, and advising on deal terms.

Basically, they make the tough calls: yes or no. And trust me, with the amount of paperwork involved, you’ll want their expertise in your corner. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs their average annual salary at a tidy $63,380.

INVESTMENT BANKER

Cue the dramatic music—investment bankers are the rock stars (and, let’s face it, night-owls) of finance. If you’ve ever seen movies about Wall Street, you know the drill: analyzing insane volumes of data, crafting deals that make headlines, and advising clients on where to stash their millions.

They’re market magicians, running numbers on company financials, tracking every market twitch, sketching out models to predict performance, and constructing investment plays smarter than a room full of chess champions. It’s a dance with risk and reward—and it pays off, with an average salary floating around $124,020 per year.

CREDIT ANALYST

Credit analysts: less showy than investment bankers, perhaps, but their power lies in their razor-sharp scrutiny. These detail-detectives dissect tax returns, bank statements, and credit reports, all in the name of sniffing out the risk of loaning someone money. If you’ve ever had a loan application sweat session, you can thank (or curse) a credit analyst for the outcome.

They help set the nitty-gritty: interest rates, loan terms, collateral—basically, all those little footnotes you gloss over. Occasionally, they’ll even toss in some credit advice to help polish your profile. Not too shabby, given the average annual salary sits at $88,030.

FINANCIAL MANAGER

Meet the financial manager—the grand chessmaster lurking in every major bank’s c-suite. Their job? Dreaming up big-picture strategies to juggle assets, investments, and the capital structure that keeps the bank powerhouse running.

Financial managers are in the weeds of profit reports, market data, and boardroom meetings, helping the top brass trim the fat and boost gains. Spotting trends, proposing budgets, and recommending ways to keep the gears humming—these are their specialties. That level of responsibility pays off, too: expect median salaries around $131,710. Not bad for steering the financial ship!

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Love the idea of making money work for people? Portfolio managers live for it. They build, nurture, and tweak investment portfolios—think stocks, bonds, mutual funds—always with their clients’ best dollar in mind.

Translating market chaos into calm, they track trends, run analyses, and cook up custom investment plans. Collaboration is the name of the game, often working hand-in-hand with analysts and other pros to keep those assets healthy. The reward? A prestigious median annual salary of $131,710.

BRANCH MANAGER

Branch managers are the air traffic controllers of local banking. They juggle everything happening within their four walls—from wrangling staff to schmoozing with clients and making sure every dollar lands in the right place.

It’s a people-centric gig: you’ll handle customer hiccups, coach your team, dot every “i” on compliance, and keep the daily show running smoothly. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary is about $59,453—solid, especially when you’re the one everyone looks to when the ATM eats a debit card.

BEST PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS GUIDE

Let’s face it—everyone wants to be paid what they’re worth. And with banking being such a competitive field, you’re hardly alone in chasing those greener pastures (read: higher salaries and sweeter benefits). Want one of these juicy jobs? Degrees and real-world chops are your best sidekicks. Whether you’re dreaming of a corner office or just trying to break in, this guide is packed with tips to get you ahead of the curve.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR BANK?

A big bank isn’t just a shiny logo or sprawling lobby. We’re talking heavy hitters—institutions loaded with capital, offering every financial goodie you could imagine, and pulling in revenue people only dream about. Basically, if you can spot their branches in multiple countries, you’re probably dealing with a “major bank.”

These financial behemoths provide everything from checking accounts and loans to investments and trusts—on a scale that makes your local credit union blush. They’re tightly regulated (as they should be, given the mountains of cash they guard!), and they file paperwork galore on assets, liabilities, and more. If major banks sneeze, the economy catches a cold—so, yes, the government keeps a close eye.

TYPES OF BANK JOBS

In the world of banking, there’s a flavor for everyone. Bank jobs generally fall into two big buckets: financial and non-financial. If you love numbers, roles like analysis, risk management, trading, and compliance will keep you happily caffeinated. But wait—someone has to keep the gears turning, technology humming, and customers happy. That’s where non-financial pros shine, from IT gurus to customer service stars.

Wherever you land, you’ll be part of a machine that thrives on trust, compliance, and innovation. Both sides are essential—kind of like wheels on a bike.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR BANK JOB

So what do you need to snag one of these coveted roles? Spoiler: most require at least a bachelor’s in finance, business, or a related field, and you’ll need brains for analysis and a knack for compliance. If you’re aiming for something customer-facing, polish up those people skills—because soft skills matter as much as your GPA.

Bottom line: A strong education plus some real-world experience, and you’re halfway up the banking ladder.

HOW TO FIND THE HIGHEST PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS

Banking has a reputation for financial security, and let’s be real—there are fewer industries offering such predictably good paychecks. So how do you land the “brass ring” jobs? Be strategic:

BROWSE BANK WEBSITES AND JOB SEARCH PLATFORMS

Don’t just scroll and hope for the best. Major banks host job portals, and platforms like ZipRecruiter are absolute goldmines. Check descriptions carefully—sometimes the devil really is in the details.

NETWORK WITH BANK PROFESSIONALS AND RECRUITERS

Ah, networking. Not just for cocktail parties! Making connections is the secret sauce—insider info on jobs, sneak peeks into company culture, and often, the best leads never even hit the job boards.

BUILD AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME

You need to look the part on paper before anyone picks you for an interview. Show off your number-crunching, your problem-solving, your wins. And if writing isn’t your jam, let a pro sharpen your resume.

ADVANCE YOUR SKILLS AND EDUCATION

Never stop learning! Add certifications, take those online courses, brush up on the latest in fintech if you want recruiters to come knocking. The financial world never sits still, and neither should you.

BEST PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS FAQ

How many major bank jobs are available?
Picture this: more than two million people clock in at commercial banks across the U.S.—many strolling through the marble halls of major banks. And if you’re betting on future growth, the sector’s set to bump up by five percent between 2019 and 2029. Yup, the odds are actually better than the national average!

How do you start a career in banking?
Get your foot in the door with an entry-level role or, if you’ve got the credentials, make a beeline for the corner office. Your career runway depends on what you bring to the table and where your passions lie.

What other careers are available with banking experience?
Honestly? Banking skills are like a passport—good just about anywhere. Accounting, economics, business, sales, marketing—you name it. Those skills travel well.

Is working at a major bank a good career move?
Let’s cut to it: You’ll get exposure, experience, industry reputation, and yes—a paycheck that can outshine offers in many other industries.

HOW WE CHOSE THE BEST PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS

We didn’t just throw darts at a board! Our list comes from good old-fashioned research—Bureau of Labor Statistics data, current job listings at top-tier banks, and deep dives into the fine print of education, salaries, responsibilities, and room for growth. Sprinkle in some trend-spotting and employer wish lists, and voilà—the best bank jobs (with the fattest checks) emerge.

SUMMARY OF MONEY’S BEST-PAYING JOBS IN MAJOR BANKS

• Financial Analyst
• Loan Officer
• Investment Banker
• Credit Analyst
• Financial Manager
• Portfolio Manager
• Branch Manager