Wall Street Average Bonus Hits 350 Million Won, Four Times the Average Worker’s Annual Salary

# Wall Street Bonuses Reach Four Times the Average U.S. Worker’s Salary Wall Street is continuing to illustrate the stark income disparities in America, with the average bonus in the financial sector reaching nearly four times the annual salary of the average U.S. worker in 2023. On March 27, The Washington Post reported that surging revenues in the investment banking industry, coupled with a bullish stock market, propelled Wall Street bonuses to historic highs last year. The average bonus paid to Wall Street employees climbed to $244,000, or approximately 350 million Korean won, marking a 31.5% increase from the previous year’s average of $186,000. This represents the highest bonus levels recorded since 2021. Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, attributed the record bonuses to a dramatic 90% rise in Wall Street profits. “This sharp increase stemmed from sustained trading activity during the stock market boom and higher banking fees,” DiNapoli explained. In stark contrast, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that as of January, the annual average salary for full-time American workers was $62,000, or roughly 90 million Korean won. The Wall Street average bonus alone is around four times the typical full-year earnings of most U.S. workers. # Widening Wealth Gap This glaring disparity underscores the widening wealth gap prevalent in the U.S. and across the globe. According to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the top 10% of U.S. households control more than 67% of all household assets. Findings from a January survey conducted by the Pew Research Center further illustrate rising concerns over inequality. Among adults polled across 36 countries, including the U.S., an overwhelming 84% stated that the wealth gap remains a major societal issue. The latest Wall Street bonus figures once again spotlight the persistent challenge of income inequality, drawing renewed attention to a long-standing global problem.