As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a M&A Analyst I in the United States is $94,240 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a M&A Analyst I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
A M&A Analyst I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a M&A Analyst I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| M&A Analyst I | 2-4 years | $94,238 |
| Intermediate Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 4-7 years | $113,177 |
| Senior Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 7+ years | $133,749 |
| Lead Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst | 7-10 years | $175,307 |
| Manager M&A | 10+ years | $136,928 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract M&A Analyst Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 13.71% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2.35% |
| Statement of Work | 1.61% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Consulting
|
$103,664 |
10%
|
|
Initiative
|
$100,837 |
7%
|
|
Data Engineering
|
$100,837 |
7%
|
|
Acquisition Management
|
$99,894 |
6%
|
|
Square
|
$99,894 |
6%
|
|
Commitment
|
$99,894 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many M&A Analyst Is enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a M&A Analyst I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,640 and $93,604).
M&A Analyst I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.0% |
| High School | 2.0% |
| Associates | 1.0% |
| Bachelors | 48.0% |
| Masters | 44.1% |
| Doctorate | 4.9% |
Understanding how a M&A Analyst I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026For a M&A Analyst I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $113,200 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for a M&A Analyst I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $101,412 in 2023 to around $100,716 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of M&A Analyst I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $101,412 |
| 2024 | $101,760 |
| 2025 | $100,716 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for M&A Analyst I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current M&A Analyst I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Getting a job in M&A can be quite challenging, even for graduate-level professionals. The industry demands a strong skill set and a steep learning curve. However, the potential rewards are significant, with salaries ranging from $79,790 to $107,590, making it an attractive field for those willing to invest the effort.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are lucrative due to their potential to significantly increase market share and access new customer bases. This can lead to enhanced revenue streams. Additionally, M&A analysts, who play a crucial role in these transactions, earn competitive salaries ranging from $79,790 to $107,590, reflecting the high value of their expertise in driving successful deals.
As of January 2025, M&A Analysts in the United States earn between $79,790 and $107,590 annually, with a median salary of $94,020. This translates to approximately $38.34 to $51.73 per hour, or $1,538 to $2,000 per week, and $6,793 to $8,667 per month.
Goldman Sachs has implemented bonuses that vest over five years to retain its senior leadership team. For 2024, CEO David Solomon's compensation increased by 26% to $39 million. In comparison, M&A Analysts at Goldman Sachs earn between $79,790 and $107,590, with a mid-salary of $94,020, reflecting the competitive compensation landscape on Wall Street.
The salary for an M&A Analyst at Deloitte typically ranges from $79,790 to $107,590, with a mid-point salary of around $94,020. This reflects the competitive compensation structure within the industry, aligning with the responsibilities and expertise required for the role.
To become an M&A Analyst, start with a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. This foundational education is crucial for understanding financial markets and corporate strategies. M&A Analysts typically earn between $79,790 and $107,590, with a median salary of around $94,020, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
