Biotech ER does not pay that much

Just saw a lot of NYC job postings with salary ranges. I used to think biotech pays high but mostly between 100k to 150k. Biotech hires mostly PhD, MD. They can easily make 150k in industry with working 40 hours a week. Why would they come to work for sell side? Puzzling. A lot of buyside also directly hires from industry even those without finance background.

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The salary ranges are probably base only. Before the layoffs, I heard first-year biotech associates were getting 200-300, more on the higher end.

 

Following on from earlier comments by @bulugawhale, @anonymous_IV, and @GenericUsername119, I had always been under the impression that all in comp for an Associate would be more akin to what GenericUsername119 outlined 

unless they have prior work experience post PhD/ MD. In that case, they would be first year in this industry but not "associate 1" per se.
While I'm planning a pivot into Biotech ER, I'd nevertheless be coming in with a PhD + experience running a medical writing boutique & having been CSO of a VC-backed startup, so any additional color would be much appreciated, gents

 

It really depends on how much the firm/team values your experience and how much power "leverage" lead analyst has in making the case on how much the firm want to pay you. You can potentially come in as an associate 2 or 3 and be looking at close to mid 200s at a good firm.
Thanks for the heads up, anonymous_IV ― those are valuable qualitative & quantitative data pts I hadn't even considered beforehand, given that my focus was primarily on Associate I roles covering SMID caps either at BBs or healthcare specialty MMs

 

 
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You're not factoring in residency (~$55k/year +$5k/year for 3-7 years) or post-doc (also low) time.

Banks pay ~$250k all-in in ER for a 1-2 yr experienced associate with MD or PhD. Buyside is ~$250-$400k minimum guarantees in biotech. If you become idea-generating or P&L tied, that's jumping to $500-$700k minimum and upwards of a few million if you crush it. If you're a PM or Managing Partner of a fund, earnings potential is unlimited.

And lastly sometimes people make decisions not just based on pay, but on other factors as well.

 

Could you please give us some names/examples of firms that pay that much compensations for medical scientists and physicians !

I honestly think these figures are just exaggerations. 

Sovereign Wealth Fund Consultant
 

financy

Could you please give us some names/examples of firms that pay that much compensations for medical scientists and physicians !

I honestly think these figures are just exaggerations. 

I run a biotech hedge fund. I’m very aware of market rate for analysts and my own comp historically, as well as comp at most established SMs and MMs in biotech.

 

Is it possible to break into biotech as an associate without an MD/PhD? I have BS in Biomedical Science, does that give me any credibility at all? (For reference, I’m going to start applying for ER this fall, currently a research analyst in AM)

 

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