Wall Street Bonus Pool Jumps to a Record $49.2 Billion for 2025

March 26, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC

Average Wall Street bonuses jumped to a record last year, with the total pool for payouts rising to $49.2 billion as profits and revenues soared.

The average annual bonus rose 6%, to $246,900, according to estimates by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released Thursday.

The total pool is the largest in records going back to 1987, reflecting a rebound in mergers and acquisitions helped by relaxed regulations under President Donald Trump. DiNapoli also cited strength in trading and underwriting. The figure marked a second consecutive year of record-breaking bonuses for securities industry workers.

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