Equity Traders See Best Bonuses Since 2021

Equity traders on Wall Street saw their incentive pools rise 15–25% in 2025, according to Chris Connors, Managing Director at Johnson Associates, with top performers sometimes exceeding that range.  

The surge reflected both strong markets and intense competition for talent. Connors explained that competitive pressures from prop trading firms and market makers pushed pay higher, particularly for equity sales and trading at investment banks. 

While banks do not publicly break down bonuses by desk or role, consultants like Connors note that incentive pools closely follow revenue performance, particularly in trading, which he emphasized is a “heavily production-based business.” 

Looking ahead, Connors said global banks remain broadly bullish on investment banking in 2026, particularly advisory businesses with more predictable pipelines. Trading, however, depends on market volatility, client activity, and individual performance, making compensation outcomes far harder to predict, he said. 

“Revenue trends are a key indicator of where incentive pools will end up, but they’re not formulaically linked, and they’re certainly not one-to-one,” he said. He added that some trading businesses could benefit if volatility persists, while other areas may see more muted gains. 

Traders Magazine / January 21, 2026