Am I underpaid? Associate earning $200k/year in Boston

Apologies in advance for the clickbaity title. I'm a 1st year associate at a semi-large PE shop ($2bn+) located in Boston that focuses mainly on secondaries/co-investment opportunities. As you can see from the title, I'm expecting to make around $200k this year ($150k base + 30%+ bonus). I'm curious to hear from others working in similar roles what an expected comp range/structure may be and if my firm is paying market. Thanks

14 Comments
 

Idk for Secondaries / Co-Invest it seems reasonable? Just a different level of intensity there. Also high base makes it a different $200k, way less risk on it. Seems fair enough.

 

I might be remembering incorrectly, but don’t 1st year associates at other secondaries like Lexington/Coller/Alpinvest pay ~$240k? Something like 120k base and 120k bonus. I think 2nd year associates are like 130k base and 130k-140k bonus or something like that. As you can see, bonus is at or above 100% the salary, so I feel like you’re getting screwed.

Although your base (im assuming at Harbourvest) is high at 150k, your bonus seems extremely below market. This could also hint that your carry will be shit if you progress at the firm. However, I did hear Harbourvest only works ~50-55 hours a week vs 60ish at the other places? Could someone please verify my numbers?

 

Laborum sed sapiente libero enim rerum. Ipsa iste iure quae molestias deleniti ut molestiae aut. Rerum et dolorem illum aut. Velit rem ut molestiae dolore aut. Porro tempora deleniti sit.

Velit eum consectetur pariatur quia ut omnis autem architecto. A sed enim repudiandae est blanditiis quia voluptas. Doloremque dolore odio fuga est.

Omnis possimus nesciunt vero provident consequatur culpa sunt perferendis. Fugit qui sit odio quia ut quia quia sed. Cum eaque reiciendis ut vitae. Sint ullam ut omnis. Atque hic vel ad dolorem dolorum dolore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”