Benchmarking MF PE Associate Salaries

Question

Hey all,

Trying to get a sense for where MF Associate 1 salaries shake out for benchmarking purposes. The WSO database / other sources online may be a bit outdated, so just wanted to consolidate here. Not trying to debate what is / isn't a MF, just throwing some names down. The below is from my experience / anecdotal evidence. Any input is welcome.

Megafund Associate 1 Salary (Base / Bonus):

Apollo:  $175k / $200k
    Blackstone: $140k / $200k
    Carlyle: $130k / $170k
    KKR: $150k / $200k
    TPG: $130k / $170k
    Warburg Pincus: $180k / $180k

IBHopeful123456 · Accepted Answer

CD&R ASO 1 is closer to $175 / $200

Marcus_Halberstram · Answer

Focusing on $ comp as a MF Associate is completely stupid. The value of the seat is the FV not the PV.

PV of an Associate seat (per above) is like $500-700k.

FV of a career partner track seat at a MF is like $50-100m+.

Focus should be how to maximize probability of success in getting to the latter, not optimizing for an extra $30k right now.

This post is the equivalent of having a fully funded college fund and optimizing for which Ivy has the lowest tuition so you’ll have $10-20k leftover after you get your UG degree.

t1559983 · Answer

Mildly off topic but Permira’s VP offer is 275+275

Taking_A_Step_Back · Answer

Exactly. It’s all pretty close. HR coordinates across industry.

Just because I think younger folks in the industry sometimes are way too focused on drawing tier lines when in reality the economics work out very well at almost any scale including LMM….. UMM ASO1 330k, ASO2 375k. Can’t remember splits but again all pretty banded.

Point on LMM model makes more sense once carry gets layered in. Unless you want to light money on fire in your spare time (which you probably don’t get for a very long time at bigger funds any way), you’ll be doing great.

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Benchmarking MF PE Associate Salaries

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Benchmarking MF PE Associate Salaries

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