Wall Street bonuses hit record $49.2B; Average $246,900

Wall Street’s bonus pool climbed to a record $49.2 billion last year, while the average bonus rose 6% to $246,900, based on estimates released Thursday, March 26, 2026, by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

The comptroller’s office reported the total is the largest in records dating to 1987. It is the second straight year that securities industry workers received a record payout pool as profits and revenues improved.

DiNapoli linked the gain to a rebound in mergers and acquisitions following regulatory easing during the Trump administration, along with strong results in trading and underwriting.

“Wall Street saw strong performance for much of last year, despite all of the ongoing domestic and international upheavals. When Wall Street does well, it’s good for our state and city budgets, which are reliant on the industry’s significant tax contributions.” 

The estimates cover discretionary pay tied to performance at broker-dealers and other securities firms for work performed last year. The increase in the pool coincided with a higher average payout.

The comptroller’s office developed the figures using industry data and historical patterns. The estimates provide an early look at compensation trends across Wall Street.