According to a recent government report, investment banking pay is hitting absurd levels. The weekly pay in the profession is $8,367, compared with $841 for all private sector jobs. Are investment bankers worth 10 times more than everyone else? Let the debate begin. In various hot spots, where hedge fundies are concentrated, the pay is even higher. In Fairfield County, Conn., residence of choice for many hedge fund employees, the average weekly pay is $23,846. In Manhattan, weekly pay averages $16,849. There was a time when the brightest wanted to be doctors, then lawyers, the traditional investment bankers, then Microsofties, then dot.com types, but there is no question what young people want to do these days: make as much as possible and--hopefully--"give back" later.  

For more:
- here's a New York Times article [1]