Why no mania behind the $250,000 Associate salary?

Referring to the PJT flat $250k salary across all associate classes -- why doesn't this forum seem too vocal hoping other BBs/EBs follow suit?

I think we all assume it'll be offset with a lower bonus, but I'd take a higher salary any day. Do we all think this is a one-off? I think it would cause a major industry shift if this becomes the norm, and that's probably why it won't happen.

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PJT hires like 15 people per associate class (M&A and RSSG combined). Not many people are going to be deciding between their offer and somewhere else. CVP already pays an absurd amount but that hasn't moved the market. Even LAZ is at 185 for A0 and 200 for A1 but that hasn't forced others to move off of 175. Look, I could be wrong but I don't necessarily see this as that ground breaking.

 

There absolutely is mania though. Even though PJT pays 250 across all Assoc levels, most larger firms are doing 225 for full yr associates after their stub and climbing to 250 after that which is arguably not that big a difference. The real mania is coming from the lateral offers at the moment, many of which are doing guaranteed bonuses at 100% of base comp. I suspect this will end by June but I've seen a number of offers go out with this structure in the lateral market.

 

Which banks pay 225k? Are you talking about total comps after stubs? because PJT is 250 base + A2A bonus + year end bonus for Asso1... not sure who is near that except Centerview

 

Most reputable bulge / MM / independent boutique firms have done so. And as my original post alluded to, I'm talking about full year associates, not stubs. They'll all follow a similar comp structure though for most the A2A will be ~40K and whatever the discretionary bonus amount is.

 

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