Biotech ER comp

Looking to move to biotech ER from MBB. PhD background. What’s the highest realistic base salary I can ask for? Salaries listed online tend to be low compared to mbb (think I’ve seen JPM listing base of $120k, vs $220k at mbb). Dont want to shoot myself in the foot by asking something too low, but dont want to seem out of touch if asking something too high. Is $230k base a reasonable ask? Also getting offer from pharma where I can get $225-$230k base (+equity which i dont get in ER), hence my ask. Thanks

7 Comments
 

I got 200k all in first year right out of grad school. Ur mbb exp won’t give u much more imo. Maybe you’ll come in as senior associate so maybe ask for 175 base and hopefully bonus gets u 250+ 

 

This is helpful, thank you. What would be a typical annual bonus as a senior associate / AVP (% of base)?
Bonus question: do you know what the total comp trajectory for an average performer in ER is? Possible to hit $500k TC at some point?

 

In biotech, after 5 years I think 500k is very attainable (prob a “VP” at that point- maybe a name or two under coverage). I have a sample size (all advanced degree dudes) of like 6 across banks. 

 

How many years have you spent at MBB? Are you an associate/consultant or EM/ Project Leader? If you have spent at least 3+ years then you can ask for the highest senior associate level base. At certain BBs that’s $200K base but lower at other firms. Base salary is based on corporate level and is non-negotiable. But you can ask for a fixed bonus for the first year (first year guaranteed , so your TC should be at least the same/ if not more than what you received at MBB. To get to $500K+ TC, you need to be a VP level+ coverage analyst. That’s 3+ ss experience with your background plus a lot of luck.

 

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