How Many Jobs Are Available In Major Banks? (2026 Data)

Quick Answer

The four largest U.S. banks, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo, employ nearly 950,000 people worldwide, and the wider U.S. banking and lending sector employs about 2.53 million, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for August 2026. Jobs open every year through turnover, with the BLS projecting about 65,600 annual openings for financial managers, 29,500 for financial analysts, and 26,800 for tellers through 2035. Hiring is selective in 2026, though, because several big banks are reducing total headcount.

Key Takeaways

• About 2.53 million people work in U.S. credit intermediation, the BLS category that covers banks, credit unions, and other lenders.
• The big four banks together employ nearly 950,000 people: JPMorgan Chase (about 318,000), Citigroup (about 219,000), Bank of America (about 213,000), and Wells Fargo (about 197,000).
• Headcount is shrinking at several major banks. The largest U.S. banks cut more than 10,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2026 alone.
• Growth is strongest in technology and management roles. Information security analyst jobs are projected to grow 21% and financial manager jobs 10% from 2025 to 2035.
• Teller jobs are projected to fall 13% over the same period, but about 26,800 positions still open each year as workers leave.
• Banks are still hiring for client-facing, lending, risk, and tech roles, so targeting the right role matters more than ever.

The U.S. banking sector is changing quickly. Major banks reported strong profits in 2026 while also trimming staff, automating back-office work, and investing heavily in technology and AI. For job seekers, that means there are still plenty of openings, from entry-level teller jobs to senior financial management roles, but the mix of jobs is shifting. This article gives a data-driven breakdown of how many jobs are available in major banks, what they pay, and where demand is heading.

What Is Considered A Major Bank?

“Major banks” are large, federally regulated institutions that offer a full range of services, from checking and savings accounts to loans, credit cards, wealth management, and investment banking. In the United States, the term usually refers to the “big four”:

• JPMorgan Chase
• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Citigroup

These institutions have national branch networks, large digital banking platforms, and global operations. They differ from regional banks and credit unions in their size, international reach, and more complex products. Because they hold such a large share of customer deposits, major banks also face stricter regulatory oversight. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are often grouped with them as major Wall Street banks, although they focus on investment banking and wealth management.

How Many Jobs Are Available In Major Banks (2026)?

There is no single live count of open jobs at major banks, so the clearest picture comes from three numbers: how many people the sector employs, how many the biggest banks employ, and how many openings are projected each year.

Sector employment. According to the BLS’s credit intermediation industry data, about 2,528,300 people worked in credit intermediation and related activities in August 2026 (a preliminary figure). This category covers commercial banks, credit unions, and other lenders. The largest occupations in the sector are tellers (317,340), loan officers (222,090), customer service representatives (153,400), financial managers (136,850), and loan interviewers and clerks (132,850).

Big four headcount. The four largest banks employ nearly 950,000 people worldwide, based on their most recently reported figures:

Projected openings by role. The table below uses the latest BLS data: median pay from May 2025, employment in 2025, and projections for 2025 to 2035. The figures cover each occupation across the whole U.S. economy, and banks are major employers for each of them.

Note: Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, not from new positions. That is why tellers still have tens of thousands of openings a year even though total teller employment is falling.

Are Major Banks Hiring In 2026?

Yes, but selectively. Big banks posted strong second-quarter profits in 2026, yet the largest U.S. banks still cut more than 10,000 jobs in that quarter. As Banking Dive reported at the start of the year, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo all projected lower headcounts for 2026, with executives pointing to efficiency programs and AI.

The cuts are concentrated in operations, back-office support, and some middle-office functions, where automation is replacing routine work. At the same time, banks keep recruiting for roles that bring in revenue or manage risk. Wells Fargo’s chief financial officer said in mid-2026 that the bank continues to hire branch bankers, investment advisors, commercial banking relationship managers, investment bankers, and traders.

For job seekers, the practical takeaway is to aim for roles with staying power: client relationships, lending, wealth management, risk and compliance, cybersecurity, data, and AI.

What Types Of Roles Are In Demand?

1. Loan Officer

Evaluates loan applications, assesses creditworthiness, and guides customers through mortgages, auto loans, and business lending.

• Median Salary: $76,690
• Skills Needed: Underwriting, customer service, risk assessment

2. Credit Analyst

Assesses borrower risk by reviewing financial statements and credit history. It is a small field of roughly 68,000 jobs, so openings are limited, but it is a common entry point into commercial lending.

• Median Salary: $83,510
• Skills Needed: Financial modeling, Excel, credit risk evaluation

3. Financial Advisor

Works with clients to build savings, retirement, and investment plans. Banks continue to hire advisors as they grow their wealth management businesses.

• Median Salary: $105,070
• Skills Needed: Investment planning, interpersonal skills, licensing (for example, FINRA Series 7 and Series 66)

4. Financial Analyst

Interprets financial data to guide business and investment decisions. With 7% projected growth and about 29,500 openings a year, it is one of the steadier paths into banking.

• Median Salary: $102,740
• Skills Needed: Accounting, trend analysis, economic forecasting

5. Bank Teller

Handles daily transactions and helps customers in branches. Total teller employment is projected to decline 13% by 2035 as more banking moves online, but turnover still creates many openings, and the role remains the most common way into a bank without a degree.

• Median Salary: $43,030
• Skills Needed: Attention to detail, cash handling, fraud prevention

6. Financial Manager

Oversees the finances and performance of a branch, department, or business line. This BLS category includes bank branch managers and typically requires a bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of experience.

• Median Salary: $166,570
• Skills Needed: Leadership, budgeting, regulatory knowledge

7. Information Security Analyst

Protects bank systems and customer data from cyberattacks and fraud. At 21% projected growth, it is the fastest-growing role on this list.

• Median Salary: $129,180
• Skills Needed: Network security, incident response, risk analysis

Other growing roles include compliance and financial examiners, data scientists, AI specialists, and digital product managers, as banks become more technology-driven. If you are comparing options across the wider finance sector, see our guide to how many jobs are available in finance consumer services.

Benefits Of Working In A Major Bank

• Competitive Pay: Average earnings across credit intermediation were $51.43 an hour in July 2026, and many roles add bonuses
• Role Flexibility: Opportunities to move between departments and business lines
• Skill Growth: Exposure to finance, risk, and regulatory frameworks
• Networking: Daily contact with professionals and clients
• Career Progression: Internal training, sponsored certifications, and clear promotion paths
• Global Mobility: Chances to transfer to other regions or countries
• Strong Benefits: Health coverage, retirement plans, and paid leave are standard at large banks

Drawbacks To Consider

• Less Job Security Than Before: Ongoing headcount reductions and automation affect operations and support roles most
• Repetitive Tasks: Especially in entry-level roles
• Strict Compliance: Rigid rules, regular audits, and frequent compliance training
• Sales Pressure: Targets for accounts, credit cards, or loans in many branch roles
• Stress: Managing risk, client money, and accuracy under pressure
• Corporate Bureaucracy: Decision-making can be slow and hierarchical
• Return-To-Office Rules: Some large banks, including JPMorgan Chase, expect most staff in the office five days a week

How To Get A Job At A Major Bank

1. Choose a target role. Decide between branch roles (teller, banker), lending, wealth management, corporate functions, or technology.
2. Match the education. Teller jobs need a high school diploma. Most analyst, lending, and advisory roles need a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, accounting, or business.
3. Use internships and early-career programs. Big banks fill many analyst jobs through summer internships and rotational programs that open about a year in advance.
4. Get licensed where required. Advisors need FINRA licenses, and mortgage loan officers must be registered or licensed through the NMLS.
5. Prepare for the interview. Expect behavioral, customer-service, and technical questions. Practice with our list of top banking interview questions.

Final Thoughts

Major banks remain some of the largest employers in the country, with nearly 950,000 people at the big four alone and about 2.53 million across U.S. banking and lending. Tens of thousands of positions open every year, but the industry is not growing evenly. Banks are cutting operations and support roles while hiring for client-facing, lending, risk, and technology jobs.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a tech professional, or someone switching industries, banking still offers a well-paid and varied career path. Research the roles with the strongest outlook, build the skills and licenses they require, and tailor your resume to show them clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Jobs Available In Major Banks