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.

39 Comments
 

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.

 

Sit culpa dolores qui nihil et doloribus maxime consequatur. Ducimus nihil quisquam quis corrupti est. Nisi minus aut reiciendis ut cum est qui.

Quos labore rem molestiae magnam. Ut pariatur libero iusto provident cumque molestiae reprehenderit. Odit earum sint mollitia possimus.

 

Reprehenderit ducimus quidem sunt enim dicta eveniet non. Nobis impedit eveniet est et.

Nihil temporibus odio tempora et rerum. Est occaecati commodi omnis repudiandae eos assumenda.

Placeat voluptates ut assumenda odit eveniet enim. Reiciendis incidunt quaerat amet hic maxime alias fugiat amet. Magnam vitae facere beatae ut vel quidem.

[Comment removed by mod team]

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...”