Investment Banker Salary in India 2025: Complete Guide

Investment banking in India is famous for extensive working hours, high-pressure deal environments, and extensive responsibility attached to those roles, hence justifying its packages. Investment banker salary packages include base salary + performance bonuses + stock options + incentives, all of which lead to earnings quite a bit above the fixed compensation.

Mumbai and Delhi NCR typically provide the highest salary packages, closely followed by Bangalore, while Pune and Chennai are growing locations. The average investment banker's salary in India will depend on seniority level. The mid-level professionals typically earn between ₹12 LPA – ₹30 LPA, and senior bankers (VP, Director, MD level roles) will typically cross ₹1 CPA received in cash and incentives/bonuses.

Factors impacting the investment banker's salary in India will depend on these four criteria:

• Educational Backgrounds (MBA in Finance, CFA, CA, etc.)
• Years of Experience
• Type of Investment bank
• Locations

Investment banker salary for freshers is between ₹4-7 LPA, although if graduates come out of the top MBA colleges, they may earn from ₹18-30 LPA packages straight upon graduation. This blog offers an in-depth look at the Investment Banker Salary Structure in India and the key factors impacting these salaries.

Investment Banker Salary in India by Experience

The Investment Banker's salary in India is also based on Experience. Below is the average annual salary of an investment banker with different years of experience.

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Entry-Level Investment Banker Salary in India

• In 2025, an Investment Banker's salary in India with 0–3 years of experience ranges between ₹3 LPA to ₹30 LPA, with the average salary being ₹14.7 LPA. This works out to an in-hand monthly salary of around ₹85,000 - ₹88,000.
• These gross earnings indicate the tremendous earning potential even at entry and junior-level investment banking positions, making it one of the most rewarding career paths in India.

Analyst and Associate Investment Banker Salary in India

• As of September 2025, the average annual salary for an Investment Banking Associate in India is ₹16.1 LPA.
• Ranging from 0 to 6 years of experience, the expected total annual income is between ₹2.6 LPA and ₹40 LPA. In terms of in-hand salary, the monthly amount is around ₹73,000 – ₹75,000.

Director and Vice President Investment Banker Salary in India

• A Director/ Vice President in investment banking is one of the most desirable mid-senior roles within the industry, as it incorporates leadership, execution, and relationship management. As of 2025, the Vice President Investment Banking Salary in India is between ₹25 LPA to ₹1 CPA.
• The average package for an Investment Banker at Senior positions with 7-15 years of experience is ₹55.9 LPA. Almost all VPs reported a high monthly in-hand salary of around ₹2.4 – ₹2.5 LPA.

Vice President Investment Banker Salary in India based on experience:

Investment Banker Salary in India by Education Background

Educational qualification is one of the most important criteria for the salary of investment bankers in India. This is particularly the case at entry and mid-management levels. Institution, subject area, and certification will have a huge impact on pay and development.

MBA Graduates (IIM, ISB, Tier-1 Colleges)

An MBA in Finance remains the standard entry point into investment banking. Graduates from IIMs, ISB, and other top MBA collegescommand the highest starting salaries in the industry.

Top MBA Colleges (IIM Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Calcutta, ISB, XLRI)

• Starting packages: ₹18–30 LPA
• Average IIM graduates: ₹20–25 LPA

These schools yield quicker career promotions, better bonus structure, and an opportunity to work abroad.

Tier-2 & Tier-3 MBA Colleges

• Mid-tier Institutions: ₹6–10 LPA
• Regional Colleges: ₹4–7 LPA for entry-level.

The MBA salary in India for Finance specialisation normally ranges between ₹3-30 LPA, with a huge emphasis on the institute's reputation, previous work experience, and individual competency etc. The MBA salary by city also varies; Mumbai and Delhi NCR have the highest salaries for such roles, with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune providing slightly lower salaries but still competitive.

CFA/ CA/ Engineer-to-Banker Pathways

There are alternative qualifications other than an MBA that allow people to smoothly enter investment banking roles in India. Professionals who obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Accountant (CA), and have an engineering background with some finance skills are now being increasingly sought after by banks to access specialist knowledge.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA):

CFAs are well-received in roles such as an investment analyst, portfolio manager, or risk manager, especially in global and sophisticated financial firms.

• Level 1 holders are typically paid in the range of ₹4 to ₹5.4 LPA.
• Level 2 cleared applicants earn approximately ₹6 LPA.
• CFA holders with 6 years of experience can expect a salary in the range of ₹12 to ₹35 LPA, with the national average of ₹28.6 LPA.

Chartered Accountants (CA):

Experienced CAs typically earn between ₹30 LPA to ₹50 LPA, as they are typically senior level and are in managerial roles and with a concentration of finance, auditing, and compliance skills formed in operations and banking expertise.

• Entry-level CAs earn around ₹6 to ₹7 LPA.
• 3 to 8 years of experience allows experienced CAs to earn anywhere between ₹15 to ₹25 LPA.

Engineering Backgrounds:

• Engineers who come into investment banking are best compensated, especially with professional finance qualifications such as CFA or financial modelling courses, and can expect about ₹6 to ₹15 LPA.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills are highly valuable in investment analysis, modeling, and algorithmic trading.

These routes also provide strong pathways into investment banking for non-MBAs to make comfortable careers, backed by global certifications and technical qualifications that are responsive to the changing requirements of finance in India.

Investment Banker Salary Difference: MBA vs non-MBA

The gap in Investment Banker salaries for an MBA and a non-MBA is usually compensated, especially in India, for the starting years of their careers.

• In 2025, MBAs from prestigious institutions earn salaries starting at ₹8-12 LPA, and occasionally, at top banks globally, the Investment banking salaries can reach as high as ₹18-30 LPA.
• Certifications in CFA and CA for non-MBAs flourish with more experience in the job market, and thus earn slightly lower than MBAs at the entry level. The salaries for mid-level experienced Investment Bankers at large reputable banks can reach as high as ₹12-35 LPA.
• After 5-7 years and beyond, the gap in salaries will become increasingly equal for highly skilled, experienced, networked, and impactful non-MBAs.

Top Investment Banks in India and Their Pay Packages

Investment banking is among the most fiercely competitive and high-paying career paths within Finance in India. Salaries vary based on the institution of employment, including global investment banks, domestic Indian banks, and boutique investment banks, etc, and will determine the salary structure and opportunity for career advancement.

1. Global Investment Banks in India

Global investment banks are mainly top-tier Wall Street banks and European location investment banks that dominate deal-making related to M&A, IPO, and capital raise transactions.

Leading Global Institutions:

• JP Morgan: The highest-rated global bank in India, with a revenue of $45.68 billion and a balance sheet totaling $3.9 trillion. It is based in Mumbai and is very strong in M&A services and general advisory services.
• Goldman Sachs: It has operations in Mumbai and Bangalore, providing wealth management, securities trading, and global markets.
• Morgan Stanley & Barclays: These are other important players with operations in Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.

2. Domestic Investment Banks in India

Domestic firms have quickly developed in India's thriving economy and the resulting wave of IPOs.

Major Indian Investment Banks:

• ICICI Securities: The largest domestic investment bank in India, focuses on IPOs, M&A, and market research.
• Kotak Investment Banking: Strong in IPOs, private equity advisory, and capital markets.
• Axis Capital: Focuses on equity, debt, and M&A deals across pharma, IT, and banking.
• SBI Capital Markets: Leader in the public sector, focuses on infrastructure, green finance, and disinvestment of PSUs.

3. Boutique Investment Banks in India

Boutique investment banks concentrate on specialized deals, high-performance industries, and tailored advisory.

Large Boutique Banks:

• Avendus Capital: Focuses on technology, digital, and consumer markets; strong in private equity and M&A advisory.
• Edelweiss Financial Services: Excellent reputation for structured finance, IPOs, and asset management.
• JM Financial: Focused on real estate, wealth management, and capital markets.

City-Wise Investment Banker Salary in India

The average salary for investment bankers in India varies widely from city to city, as they pay premiums for their greater cost of living and concentration of financial activities.

• As the financial capital of India, investment banker salaries in Mumbai are successfully in the range of 15-25% more than the national average.
• Delhi NCR offers 10-20% more salaries above the national average, making it one of the most attractive places for finance professionals.
• Investment Banker Salaries in Chennai and Pune might be 5-15% lower than those in the top-tier cities, but remain significantly higher than tier-2 cities.

Bonuses and Incentives for an Investment Banker in India

Investment banking in India compensates exceptionally well, and bonuses and incentives make up a substantial portion of the total compensation. Top performers at global, domestic, and boutique investment banks typically earn bonuses in the range of 50% to 300% of their base salaries, in addition to signing bonuses and stock options.

Annual Performance Bonuses

The Investment Banker bonus pool for 2024-25 is at record levels due to high deal activity, and payouts have exceeded ₹1,000 crore at some big firms. The structure by seniority is as follows:

• Entry Level Analysts & Associates are 20–100% of base (USD $1,200–$7,200)
• Vice Presidents & Directors are 80–150% of base, with total compensation approaching ₹1 crore.
• Managing Directors & Senior Executives are 150–300% of base compensation, and total pay at the large investment banks often exceeds ₹5–10 CPA.

Current Market Trends

Fundraising through equity has now reached ₹1.86 lakh crore, which is an increase of 142% as compared to FY23. This equates to performance bonuses of 100–200%.

• Average salary increases for bankers seemed to have peaked at 10–15%, contrasting with 4 to 7% from the previous year.
• The top performers were compensated 20–25% more than in the previous years due to performance.

Performance Metrics and Bonus Factors

• Deal-Based Compensation: Fees typically fall in the range of 1.5–3% on IPOs, QIPs, and block deals.
• Individual Performance Factors: Generating revenues, managing clients, leading teams, and performing as a mentor may have an effect on bonus payouts.
• Market & Firm Performance: Bonuses are commonly dictated by profitability and market environment.

Signing Bonuses and Stock Options

Signing bonuses are often provided to attract candidates to the firm, usually approximating the candidate's prior salary or smoothing over lost incentives from the previous job.

Stock Options and other equity compensation:

• ESOPs and RSUs typically vest over 3 to 4 years for senior executives
• Phantom Equity or Stock Appreciation rights are used to incentivize long-term performance.

Mobilizing capital for firms may include multi-year vesting, retention bonuses ranging from ₹1–2 LPA, or clawbacks may also be considered to provide accountability.

Industry Trends and Compensation Growth

IPO pipeline: 19 companies raising ₹25,000 crore +37 other companies awaiting SEBI approval.

Key growth trends:

• AI and the digital finance transformation
• ESG finance and green bonds
• Cross-border M&A and general deal experience
• Regulatory and risk management

With the current transaction volume and the demanding workforce, an investment banker's salary in India will grow, with bonuses and other equity compensation becoming structured compensation.

Top Skills for an Investment Banker in India

Investment banker jobs in India specifically demand these skills, with Finance, Financial Analysis, and Investment Banking being the most sought-after. Approximately 37,570 jobs are currently available in India, demanding these key investment banking skills mentioned below:

• Finance - The most important foundational skill. You will use this when analyzing and managing complex financial transactions.
• Financial Analysis - Knowledge of financial statement analysis, ratio analysis, and performance metrics used to inform investment decisions.
• Investment Banking - Role-specific knowledge in structuring a deal, how markets work, and investing products.
• Due Diligence - Conducting a detailed review of companies’ financials and operations to confidently pursue a deal.
• Financial Modelling - Construction and interpretation of Excel-based financial forecasting, valuation, and scenario models.
• Mergers and Acquisitions - Understanding the deal cycle, valuation, and negotiation for companies undergoing restructuring.
• Private Equity - Knowledge of how to raise funds, manage investment portfolios, and coordinate exits.
• Corporate Finance - Expertise in capital management, funding strategies, and financial performance.
• Fundraising - Sourcing and structuring investor capital for businesses.
• Valuation - Mastery of assessing company valuation using a combination of financial techniques.
• Venture Capital - Understanding of funding startups and early-stage investing.
• CFA Certification - Professional qualification in technical finance roles.
• Investment Advisory - Provision of strategic financial advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Mergers - Domain-specific expertise in doing merger deals and actualizing them.
• Financial Due Diligence - Specialized skill, primarily in the review and validation of financial data in preparation for a transaction.

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Career Growth and Exit Opportunities in India

The salary of an investment banker in India is, on average, among the highest in finance, but it is also one of the most challenging jobs to have. Freshers typically earn ₹4–7 LPA at regional firms, while consulting and global banks offer packages of around ₹20–30 LPA as starting salaries for positions from Tier-1 MBA colleges. More senior investment bankers easily exceed ₹1 CPA, exclusive of performance pay and other incentives.

Regardless of whether you enter investment banking through the MBA, CFA, or CA route, being an investment banker provides a high-income career with international exposure, but does come with very high expectations of performance, long hours, and considerable time spent on managing your own continued development or learning.