Salary · Finance & Accounting
CAIA (CAIA Association) salary: what it pays (2026)
Indicative pay ranges for roles that commonly value CAIA - broken down by role and by market. These are orientation figures, not a salary survey, so use them to compare and plan, then verify for your own city and year.
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice.
What CAIA tends to pay
CAIA holders work in alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity, real assets), where base salaries commonly fall ~$90k-160k but total compensation is often far higher once bonuses and carried interest are added.
Pay by role (indicative)
| Investment Analyst | ~$80k-120k base |
|---|---|
| Alternative Investment Associate | ~$100k-140k base |
| Portfolio Manager | ~$120k-170k base |
| Investment Director / Principal | ~$150k-200k+ base |
Bands are indicative US figures unless stated. Actual pay depends on experience, employer, city and year.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£60k-130k base |
|---|---|
| Canada | ~CA$90k-160k base |
| Germany | ~€70k-120k base |
Jobs that often ask for it
- Investment Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Hedge Fund Analyst
- Private Equity Associate
- Fund Manager
Weigh the pay against the cost
Salary is only half the picture. Before you commit, check what CAIA actually costs to sit and maintain, and where it can take you over a career.
- See the full fee breakdown in the CAIA cost and overview (exam fee, retake, materials and renewal).
- Estimate your total spend, including a possible retake, with our exam cost calculator.