Proof that you need to make it before you're 40 (and other results to our bonus survey)

If you're still working in financial services beyond the age of 40, the chances are that your earning power will fall substantially.

This is one of several conclusions that could be drawn from results to our early survey of 2010 bonuses, conducted in the first 10 days of this month.

The results - covering people in the back, middle and front office - show that the average bonus generally increases the longer you've been working. However, once you've got more than 15 years of experience, it halves (see below).

Evidently, this could be a statistical anomaly. However, it could also be because there are comparatively few front office bankers with more than 14 years experience. Assuming your career starts at 25, the clock appears to be ticking.

2010 bonuses by career duration (UK respondents):

· Less than 1 year the industry: Mean bonus: 27.1k; Median bonus: 10k

· 1-2 years in the industry: Mean bonus: 25.9k; Median bonus: 10.6k

· 3-4 years in the industry: Mean bonus: 44k; Median bonus: 11.9k

· 5-9 years in the industry: Mean bonus: 48k; Median bonus: 18k

· 10-14 years in the industry: Mean bonus 94.3k; Median bonus: 34.3k

· More than 15 years in the industry: Mean bonus: 54k; Median bonus: 20k

Other notable conclusions

Results to the survey also suggest that:

1) Across the board, 2010 bonuses are fairly flat on 2009

In 2009, the average (mean) bonus among respondents to the UK survey was 50k. In 2010 it was 52k.

2) Back and middle office staff have been squeezed to pay the front office

UK survey respondents indicated that the average (mean) front office bonus increased 7% on 2009. The average middle office bonus increased 11%. The average back office bonus fell 20%.

3) Front office bonuses are three times bigger than middle office bonuses and four times bigger than back office bonuses

Unsurprisingly, front office, client facing, revenue generating people are paid the most.

Front office survey respondents said their average (mean) 2010 bonus was 70k; middle office respondents purported to have 25k; back office people said they're getting 17k.

4) Bonuses are being distributed more equably than last year

This is a surprise and runs counter to what we're hearing about performers being rewarded and non-performers being penalised, but the survey results suggest the 2010 bonus pot is being spread more widely.

Between 2009 and 2010, the median bonus increased more rapidly than the mean. The median front office bonus is apparently up 32%, for example, vs. an 11% increase in the mean. A similar, although less dramatic, trend is in evidence in the middle and back office.

5) A lot of people say their bonus isn't deferred at all

Curiously, given the FSA's emphasis on risk-adjustment and deferrals for all employees of major financial services firms, 56% of respondents said none of their 2010 bonus was deferred.

6) Hedge fund and trading bonuses are by far the biggest

Finally, the survey indicated that the most generous bonuses are given to traders and hedge fund professionals.

The average (mean) hedge fund bonus for 2010 is apparently 140k; the mean trading bonus is 114k. By comparison, the mean M&A bonus is disappointingly diminutive, at 70k.

However, the sample sizes here were small (less than 40 respondents), meaning the average could have been skewed by some big (or small) earners...