I'm in the money management industry. My experience is that there are a large number of people at the bottom layer, making just professional salaries. But some can make really big bucks
- If you can consistantly beat the market
- If you can gather assets from a large network of high networth investors
- Some investment banking
- If you are good at manipulating people and climbing the corporate ladder
I know CFAs with 10+ year experience making less than $100k. I also know sales guys with not much knowledge but know a lot of rich clients that get paid millions a year.
My conclusion: choose career based on your interest. Otherwise if you don't get the compensation you dreamed of, it can be really disppointing.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART.