PE Associate Salary still >> IB Associate Salary??

New 1st yr analyst here. Long time lurker, first time poster.

With HH emails coming in, I can’t be the only one torn over whether or not to recruit for PE. I like the people at my firm, am in a great group, and wouldn’t mind staying in IB altho the idea of investing appeals to me. But like a lot of people on this forum, comp is also an important consideration to me.

So my question boils down to - are PE associate salaries still significantly higher than IB associate salaries (esp at EBs) given recent salary bumps in IB?? Any insight appreciated!

20 Comments
 

As far as I'm aware, PE is a short term pay cut compared to banking with the potential of a huge long term pay increase. You get paid less as an associate in PE compared to banking. However, if you move up the ranks to principal, VP, partner etc. and start getting carry, that's when you start beating out IB comp. Heard it can be tough to do though. Also usually need an MBA to move past associate level in PE whereas not required in banking. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on any of these

 

I am already rethinking returning full time bc doing this job for 155k all in is just not it at all if bonuses stagnate

 
MnAmistmaker212

Good point. PE f''sho not cyclical at all. Fundraising not cyclical and returns not cyclical. 
 

but yes 21 banking comp was high point 

Dude pe firms make money in two streams. Management fees are fixed minimum commitment 10 year contracts with Aaa counterparties. That’s what your bonus and base comes from that as sticky as it gets. Carry had and always will be lumpy. Fundraising is in 4 year cycles. That’s why structurally outside of carry PE is a highly stable industry. 

 

This.

Banking cumulative post tax income is likely going to be higher than PE equivalents until you are like 35.

MF PE/ some UMM PE comp might be in line with banking but this is an extremely small portion of the PE world. Consider the likelihood of an MBA, giving up carry when switching funds and chance of your fund not performing well in this new cycle and the case for staying in banking is strong for short - mid career earnings.

 
Most Helpful

Can’t stress enough how short sighted it is to compare banking pay last year to PE pay long term.

PE is relatively consistent (in the short term) since you’re getting paid of management fees. Obviously long term headwinds can hurt this, but it’s not like one bad year means you get killed on comp.

Historically, 300-350k (current UMM/MF range) for a banking associate would’ve been insane. That changed last year obviously, but check back in 6 months and I bet the associate bonus thread is looking just like the analyst one is now with a lot of disappointment

 

I checked old resources and there is no thread with clear summary of Associate 0/1 salaries in IB in London. Unfortunately the traditional Arkesden Compensation Report seems delayed this year.

As many of us I believe are currently evaluating the possibility to move to the buyside, why don't we start gathering data in this thread to help users?

 

Voluptatem perferendis quidem consequatur omnis velit aliquid qui voluptas. Aut provident aut odit distinctio. Hic ea vel rerum ducimus. Harum vitae veniam vero maiores. Earum repellat et iste quo et eaque. Dolor ipsum est maxime et sit id et ut.

Omnis qui dolores qui ipsam. Voluptatem reprehenderit ullam natus quis quod est excepturi fuga. Neque omnis facilis enim. Voluptatem aut maiores praesentium perferendis unde. Quas sint quidem recusandae soluta mollitia illum autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”