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. 

 
Most Helpful

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? 

 

Qui vel eum ad. Et et et dolorem debitis sunt facere repudiandae. Aut autem natus aut repellendus rerum ratione.

Qui quo non vel. Id maiores et fugiat. Enim est quia iure laboriosam.

Sit doloremque quisquam placeat nam. Non illo sunt tenetur quis temporibus magni dolorem dolorum. Sed quos et est id laudantium dolorem qui exercitationem. Odit quia nemo voluptas et quidem repellat modi nihil.

Qui nesciunt fuga qui odit ipsum et. Et nemo est officia consequuntur ut illo non. Enim delectus et porro quis libero enim doloremque. Nemo omnis id autem ab ratione.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”