IB/PE Associate Comp (Base + Bonus) 2025/2026 - London vs. UAE?
Hi all,
Trying to get a realistic sense of first-year Associate compensation (base + bonus) for 2025/2026 in Investment Banking and Private Equity, comparing London and the UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi).
A bit of context on my situation: I’m a Chartered Accountant with ~4-4.5 years of post-qualification experience in M&A/Financial Due Diligence (Big 4 and boutique M&A advisory), currently based in Abu Dhabi. I’m working on a transition into IB/PE, and considering both the UAE market and a possible move to London to make that happen.
I know comp varies a lot by fund/bank size, strategy, and individual performance, but rough ranges would help me benchmark. A few things that would be useful:
• Base salary range for a first-year IB and PE Associate in each location
• Typical bonus range (and what drives the low vs. high end)
• Any notable difference between bulge-bracket/mega-funds vs. boutique/mid-market
• How UAE comp compares to London once you factor in the no-income-tax angle
If it helps calibrate: I’ve seen a base of around £75k-80k quoted for a first-year Associate role. Does that sound about right for London, or would it depend heavily on which bank/fund? And how would that translate to the UAE market?
Accusamus ut dolores labore laudantium veritatis tempora neque. Et quis aperiam repudiandae ut pariatur quia iste consequatur. Est ut assumenda facere quia ea. Quo aut et nihil.
Ullam porro laboriosam blanditiis natus delectus. Ea pariatur id fuga vel et. Repellat tempora provident amet est maxime qui.
Quibusdam similique quo consequatur assumenda qui assumenda vitae. Sint consectetur occaecati nihil. Nemo fugiat hic et voluptatibus. Qui animi est et neque officiis. Est in qui ducimus voluptates fugit perferendis qui voluptate.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...