Wall Street Bonuses Hit Record Highs in 2025

Average bonus rose 6% to $246,900 amid surge in profits, New York comptroller reports

Mar. 26, 2026 at 4:18pm

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The average Wall Street bonus rose to a record $246,900 in 2025, up 6% from the previous year, according to a report from New York state's comptroller. The total bonus pool reached a record $49.2 billion, up 9%, reflecting a more than 30% rise in Wall Street's profits to $65.1 billion last year.

Why it matters

Wall Street bonuses are a key driver of New York City's economy and a major source of tax revenue for the city and state. However, the comptroller warned of slower job growth and geopolitical risks that could pose challenges for the financial sector and broader markets.

The details

The increases in Wall Street bonuses reflect a strong performance in the markets for much of 2025, despite some historic drops due to concerns over tariffs, interest rates, and a potential bubble in artificial intelligence technology. S&P 500 index funds returned nearly 18% in 2025 and set a record high on December 24, marking their third straight year of big returns.

  • The average Wall Street bonus rose to a record $246,900 in 2025.
  • The total bonus pool reached a record $49.2 billion in 2025, up 9% from the previous year.
  • Wall Street's profits rose more than 30% to $65.1 billion in 2025.

The players

Thomas DiNapoli

New York state's comptroller, a Democrat, who reported on the record Wall Street bonuses.

Chris Connors

A managing director at the compensation consulting firm Johnson Associates, who said the bonus estimates were no surprise given the trends on Wall Street.

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What they’re saying

“Wall Street saw strong performance for much of last year, despite all of the ongoing domestic and international upheavals.”

— Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller

“I think 2025 was a great year, probably the best year since 2021 for many firms on Wall Street. Trading, in particular, had an exceptional year.”

— Chris Connors, Managing Director, Johnson Associates

What’s next

The comptroller warned of slower job growth and geopolitical risks that could pose challenges for the financial sector and broader markets in the future.

The takeaway

Wall Street's record-breaking bonuses in 2025 highlight the industry's strong performance and profitability, but also raise concerns about the financial sector's reliance on incentives and its potential vulnerability to economic and geopolitical risks.