Pe MM associate comp

Does anyone have insight into average associate comp at a mm fund? I have heard of funds (latest ~$1b) paying first years $100k salary and $100k bonus. Is this normal? Does comp increase in your second year and by how much? Are bonuses guaranteed?

52 Comments
 

Think it really depends on the city and number of funds in that city... I've heard of several offers in Tier 2 cities (Nashville, Atlanta and Austin) similar to that of a healthy first year IB analyst or a 2nd year IB analyst for funds that have $1B fund sizes. Has anyone heard of pre-MBA associates being allowed to co-invest in deals during their tenure up to a specified amount? What would this look like and is it a good way to be comp'd?

 

I work in one of the above markets. Can confirm that $200-240k all-in is standard for ~$2B+ funds. Just went through the co-invest process myself. DM me any questions.

Array
 

I would say $100k base + $100k bonus is pretty standard for PE shops that have a ~$1bn latest fund, at least in cities outside of NYC and SF. For NYC and SF, it may be funds that are in the ~$750mm to ~$1bn range simply due to the increased COL. My future shop will be this comp level. The latest fund is ~$1bn, outside of NYC. Most of industry contacts have told me similar comp for MM funds.

Quite frankly, it does seem slightly below the comp reports that are released by sources such as GoBuyside and Heidrick & Struggles, but given the incredibly uncertainly with the pandemic, I don't think many will complain.

 

IMO this was really from the perspective of COL, so most relevant to SF / LA / NY given how expensive it is to live in those places. Maybe Boston might qualify? Chicago I'd put in this like weird middle area where some places will match pay on the coasts (probably for like talent attraction / retention reasons), but others will lowball by justifying via being in the Midwest and lower COL.

But a place like Denver for example, I don't think you should be expecting 250, if anything closer to the 200 range.

 

Too true what NuclearPenguins is saying. Partners Group USA is based in Denver and pay's their analyst program 75k base, and associates are making between 150 - 200 all in... That said COL is probably 3/4 or 4/5 what it is in NYC/SF.

 

100k base, 150k bonus is standard for reputable MM in NY / SF / etc. cities? Or still low?

 

Some data points from my recruiting cycle:

Current UMM PE (Tier 1 city outside of NYC): $280 - $300 all-in Hedge Fund Offer (Tier 2 city): $100 base / $100 target bonus Hedge Fund Offer 2 (NYC): $125 base / $125 - $175 bonus target bonus

 

How much does comp increase in the second year? Is it relatively constant?

 

Just got an offer for family office for $110 base / $85 target bonus in NY - what do you guys think?

 

Do people think the current economic environment will have a negative impact on associate comp? Or is the comp (bass + bonus) pretty stable since private equity firms fees on their funds doesn’t vary year to year?

 

Prob won't see any increases but I highly doubt there's too much of an impact. Base + target bonus won't change because they're paid out of fees, but at the margin you may see fewer people getting above-target bonuses because there isn't as much carry generated from exits (speaking from my fund at least where associates would get an extra bump come bonus season if it was a good carry year)

 

Sunt nulla similique corporis impedit dolorem voluptatem pariatur. Maxime quibusdam ducimus et qui autem. A in labore reprehenderit natus et. Quod rem et inventore non omnis. Culpa ea ipsum dolor nihil quo. Autem sed non est eum corrupti sed tempore qui. Velit quia dolor dicta maiores perferendis.

Id sequi suscipit laborum est voluptas architecto. Aut laudantium assumenda numquam omnis cupiditate quasi.

Sed magnam labore consequatur commodi rerum corrupti voluptatem asperiores. Laudantium delectus tempore porro et omnis enim repudiandae. Vel omnis dignissimos atque est.

Dolor sint aliquam odit occaecati repellendus ab. Ad cumque fuga qui ut maxime cupiditate. Repellendus esse odio ea cumque deserunt sunt.

 

Provident quia dolor autem ducimus a facere commodi. Sint vero quas dolorem facere. Delectus quasi magni officia possimus. Quae illo cumque voluptatum.

Esse molestias eius quibusdam ex nesciunt ab harum. Quia ut dolores error commodi velit hic voluptatem. Est amet ullam quidem quia. Aut doloremque ipsam beatae optio.

Assumenda quibusdam et est. Laborum recusandae iure accusamus voluptates. Et illum harum ex impedit dolorem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”