PE firms with the highest associate comp

I'm trying to compile a list of the PE firms with the best comp in the industry for Associates. This is what I've seen so far:

  • Apollo: Associate 1 - $400k (all in)
  • Ares: Associate 1 - $350k (all in)

What other firms are top of mind?

28 Comments
 

Not in PE but just starting in private credit as an analyst - one of the benefits I get is $5k in student loan repayment which is tax-exempt. 

 
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Generally don't get carry/co-invest at Associate level, especially at firms with "the highest associate comps".

You'll usually see carry or some mechanism therein come into play at smaller PE firms that are paying far lower on cash comp and are making it worth people's while through other carry-like incentives.  I've heard of sourcing heavy shops paying out 1x bonuses of $100k or more if you source a deal that ends up making its way across the finish line.  I've heard of levered non-recourse co-invest (i.e., you're making well under $200k cash comp, but are allowed to invest $20k with 3x leverage provided by the fund, so if hit a  2x return you get paid out an incremental $100k.  Details can vary in terms of amount you can invest, whether its at deal level or fund level, amount of leverage they'll grant you.  Have also heard of just straight carry, or a decent chunk of carry in a deal you source (again at a sourcing-heavy shop).

 

What was the comp step up from aso1 to aso2? and how generous were they with shadow carry? 

 

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