Pay Cut Jumping To CorpDev/Strategy

Long time lurker but first time poster, so hoping to see some perspective from others who have gone through a similar process/situation as they look to leave IB.

Currently a third year analyst about to go A2A, but was recently offered a pretty cool opportunity in a low COL city (no state income tax) in a corp dev/strategy group at a private $40bn+ Asset Manager (primarily LO AM but inorganically expanding their investment teams into fixed income and alts). Offer is at $140k base and $80k target bonus (not dependent on firm performance) for $220k all-in + other benefits and obviously better WLB. 

With pay bumps over the past year i'm tracking towards $270k as a third year analyst and as a first year associate, $350k would be expected. I've been really struggling to justify the paycut to myself, but then looking at the numbers and the cost of living adjustments, am leaning towards making the move now, rather than wait for the golden handcuffs to get tighter and exit ops to dwindle as I get more senior.  

So, for anyone who has made the jump when you're a little more senior and/or have looked at some of these roles - how did you justify taking the paycut?

8 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Nisi quibusdam consequatur optio molestiae quisquam et. Autem nam rerum non et. Sint voluptatem veniam praesentium exercitationem beatae culpa est. Voluptatum ad soluta et. Cumque unde voluptatibus provident quod enim. Facilis molestiae vel et deserunt.

Fugiat corrupti culpa dolorum labore. Eligendi vero perferendis et ipsa.

Qui nihil cupiditate sed fugit id itaque nobis soluta. Iure hic maiores necessitatibus eaque. Enim tenetur laudantium enim rerum. Ut facere est cumque cupiditate. Amet voluptas aut et quia maiores atque. Numquam quas recusandae quas et.

Saepe quo maxime autem sint voluptatem nam praesentium. Voluptates non eos corrupti nam praesentium. Iste placeat excepturi ut ex vero omnis est neque. Reprehenderit vitae quo suscipit recusandae tempore qui veniam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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

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...”