A graduate degree in finance does not necessarily guarantee a high starting salary. Even if you have a CFA designation with years of experience, the median salary is probably still around $150K – 220K (adjusted for inflation based on statistics from a survey conducted three years ago.

In a salary survey conducted in 2003, the CFA Institute found that:

• The median yearly total compensation (including salary, bonuses and non-compensation) of investment management professionals is $130,500.

• The median compensation of investment management professionals with at least 10 years of experience was approximately $190,000.

• Investment professionals who hold a CFA charter and have more than 10 years experience earn an average of 21 percent more than non-charter holders with similar experience.

• Investment management professionals employed by mutual fund organizations typically earn 20% more than the median.