Equity Reseach vs IB Compensation

Hi guys, I looked around a bit and couldn’t find much on here about this, some threads look pretty old and are no longer in use so I figured I’d ask around from you all currently in the industry.. I’m a current college student pursuing both IB and ER 2021 positions and am leaning towards ER. I know exit ops are different but can be equally rewarding but haven’t heard much regarding different compensation between the two fields. Here’s what I’ve heard, let me know if I’m wrong:

Summer Analyst comp:

Differs among banks, usually ends up being an equal hourly rate for both IB and ER.

Analyst (ER Associate) comp: 85,000K base is pretty normal across the board for both

IB bonuses: 10-80% ER bonuses: 10-30%

Associate (ER Analyst) 125,000-200,000K base for both depending on years with bonuses up to 100% for IB and 30-50% for ER

VP (VP level ER Analyst) 300-500K in IB, 200-300K in ER Up to 100% bonuses in IB, 30-50% for ER

MD (MD level ER Analyst) Well into six figures for IB, 300-600K for ER 100% + bonuses for IB, 30-50% bonuses for ER

I’ve also heard that some top ER Analysts particularly in the MM at research focused firms top six figures pretty easily. obviously great comp in both careers, just want to know if this is about right or if y’all in the industry have a better take.

7 Comments
 

Thank you for your reply. I do question though how many people on this forum see IB as the gold standard. I understand in terms of experience and comp, yes, it is. but ER (I mean, making half a million by age 30) and with the opportunities to move to HF or top CF is just as prestigious imo. I really feel like I am more interested in ER work and I think that, not comp when comp is probably in the top 90’s percentile of all careers for both ER and IB, should be the motivating factor for me. ER you can also have a life too..

 

Why would IB be better than ER for HF? You are litereally researching and writing reports about companies every day in ER and that is what you do in HF.

 
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