IBD Associate. Your typical IBD associate will make ~$200k+ all in as a first year, while a biglaw associate can expect ~$180k (unless you're at Wachtell, when you'll be making double that). I'd say that you work a bit less in biglaw, but the difference is marginal at best if you're in NY, maybe at 70 vs 80 hours a week. Biglaw outside of NY does tend to have better hours, but not that much, while banking's banking no matter where you go. If you're basing your decision solely on earnings potential, don't

 

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate. At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 
Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

This sounds true...I mean, just look at Katrina, she is a fifth-year associate but she's competing head-to-toe with Mike who is ostensibly only a first year associate.

 
<span class=keyword_link><a href=/resources/skills/finance/going-concern>Going Concern</a></span>:
Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

This sounds true...I mean, just look at Katrina, she is a fifth-year associate but she's competing head-to-toe with Mike who is ostensibly only a first year associate.

lol well done

 
Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.
Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep.
 
brandon st randy:
Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.

Interesting. Wasn't sure what to think of the "Of Counsel" title. What do you suppose a true in-house counsel makes in comparison?

 
Best Response
peinvestor2012:
brandon st randy:
Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.

Interesting. Wasn't sure what to think of the "Of Counsel" title. What do you suppose a true in-house counsel makes in comparison?

You meant in house counsels at buy side firms? That really depends on the firm AUM, performances etc. General counsels at established firms with sizable AUMs usually are compensated well, in line with law firm partners and get carries too. If the funds perform well then in house counsels can do really well on the backend from the upsides. This is unlike law firms which usually get paid hourly rates no matter what.

Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep.
 

Consequatur ipsam velit ut. Ut ipsam veniam qui nobis quos ex quia. Rerum dicta enim exercitationem iure dolorem unde. Ea iusto sunt cupiditate distinctio atque nihil. Doloremque quis quia fuga reiciendis voluptatibus iure pariatur. Rem odit deleniti maiores ullam et quam.

Commodi doloribus sed enim. Repellat sed laboriosam velit quibusdam sunt. Aut deleniti atque natus dicta quidem repudiandae. Blanditiis sed eaque et repudiandae. Officia fuga dolorem sed ipsum non. Impedit quia ut omnis eligendi sunt. Facere sed incidunt libero dolor eos vel.

Est voluptas est et asperiores officia. Atque animi soluta omnis accusantium. Voluptatem quia quod voluptatum error labore. Explicabo omnis praesentium et nesciunt. Dolore nam voluptas et nostrum. Est hic reiciendis officiis et quia minus esse ratione. Veritatis quia beatae ut a quam non ut.

Quae fugit quas ipsam omnis dolorem similique impedit. Reprehenderit quis voluptatem exercitationem qui mollitia consectetur. Maiores ut itaque voluptatem aspernatur ut facilis quam. Placeat voluptate dolore totam quaerat.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”