2023 1st Year Associate Comp Discussion

Creating this thread so all the kings and queens out there can have some reference when/if negotiating comp.

I’ll go first. MF, SF based, 350 all in including relocation bonus. YE bonus amount is set and guaranteed in writing.

259 Comments
 

330k all-in in NYC. ~60% in form of bonus (bonus amount not stated in offer but target was communicated verbally). ~6bn fund size. No communication around co-invest. Obviously a lot of money, and I’m happy with it, but feels a little light given NYC, base/bonus split and fact that it’s a ~$60k discount to taking Aso promote at bank.

 

midwest comp in my experience is less than NYC for sure. This also isn't Chicago, rather a T3 city. The 400M fund feels a little light, would've preferred 110 base/bonus, as I'm taking a hit in base from 1st year analyst base now. The 600m fund I got an offer at had higher bonus potential, so 250 in a T3 city would be pretty good, but again 100k base doesn't go as far as it used to. 

 

Austin based (associate 1) - 800m fund 250k all in (125K base 125K bonus) not including signing or relocation. Coinvest from day 1 and then carry at sr associate. Hours are 9-6. 

 

NY megafund, $180 base / $190 bonus (bonus guaranteed, though I've heard previous classes got more than the noted amount)

 

MF, with $150k base and a target 120% of base in bonus. They already raised the target bonus from 100%, but I feel like they need to raise again (I would make more staying as an Associate at my BB)

 

Damn nice offer. Considering fund size, assuming that is GE. Any data points for VC?

 

Well, fuck. I think I need to get off this forum before I get considerably depressed. 
 

I’m a VP at a sub-$500mm fund (raising $500 as we speak) and my comp is lower than these associates lol. $225 all in, maybe closer to $275-$300 when new fund closes. 
 

Tier 3 city, 9-5/6 and no weekend work really. Metric fuck ton of carry though - around $8mm or so over next 5-7 years. 

 

Based on current marks if I’m being conservative, the downside is probably $5-6mm DAW total across 2 funds. 
 

But the sacrifice on comp is entirely for that extra $2-3mm based on our underwriting model & the results that follow. Carry is always a fickle mistress but sometimes you’ve got to make the jump & believe in the platform. 

 

I think that's about average. Buddy is getting a similar comp at a larger fund.

 

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