PE Associate 1 Pay

Wondering what the numbers now look like for Associate 1 pay at private capital firms. Would love to get some data points with firm size, strategy(PE, GE, PC, etc.), and location. I have seen some $250-350k numbers thrown around 2-3 years ago, but wondering what the numbers look like now especially given how much inflation has gone up since then.

47 Comments
 

Associate I at a newer MM firm in a tier I city $135K base $135K bonus ($270K total comp), some but minimal carry, and co-invest in most recent fund.

Heard Associate II was ~$310K-$320K depending on the individual 

 

What is the fund size of the firm? Also grats on getting in the carry pool so early!

 

Between $1-2B latest fund. Not accounting for any large payouts but it's definitely nice to be included and have some compensation tied to your portfolio work. Leads to some healthy competition in the bullpen on whose company is performing the best

 

Nice, I have been considering recruiting for Chicago/HOU for COL reasons. How have you been liking the cities? What are the big firms there that would pay 300k+? 

 

T2 city as in Boston/Atl kind? 280 for a T2 city is like 350k in NYC, so great comp!

 

From a friend that got an off-cycle offer recently for Aso 2 type role at smaller fund (ranges given for anonymity)….

$400-$430k cash comp… $325-$380k/year carry assuming standard 2x MOIC…

TC $725-$810k…

Seems above market

 

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