Best PE Cities Outside of NYC/SF

I am currently an incoming analyst in NYC/SF and want to get out of the city. What other cities are there with big PE presences that I can tell headhunters is my chief interest? I know both Boston and Chicago have a few big names like Bain and GTCR/BDT respectively, but want to get a general sense of which cities to target to maximize being able to get a solid PE offer.

8 Comments
 

Would love some names and/or which headhunters cover them for Boston/Chi/LA to have a better sense of what firms to target and headhunters to talk to. My group mostly recruits within our city, so would appreciate the insight. 

 

Any reputable firm will work with the usual suspects (CPI, Amity, HSP, et al). I would recommend speaking with all of them and voicing your reference for any specific geographies. Since there are just fewer opportunities outside NYC need to cast a wide net. Networking helps too - a lot of LMM funds in particular have sporadic hiring needs and maintaining a long term relationship is a good way to get an early look at a process. 

 

Ullam sapiente exercitationem sed numquam quia dignissimos maxime. Ipsa ut totam dolor facilis voluptate ut.

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 (274) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”