Industrial Capital Markets - Stay or Leave?

Looking for some career advice.

I’ve been on an industrial investment sales team for ~3 years. I didn’t start here right out of school, so I’m a few years older than the standard analyst. Started as an Analyst, got bumped up to Associate, but nobody has been hired below me, so I still effectively have the same role as an Analyst (I now just have additional client-facing roles as well/ attend more meetings and make phone calls). My team appreciates me and knows I’m more than proficient in the analyst/associate role.

I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth sticking it out to eventually be one of the main brokers on my team (which would probably take at least another 5-7 years), or if I should jump ship to the principal side to an acquisitions role. I know I could make more money in the short term if I left, but I’m trying to think more long-term.

I’m in a major sunbelt market, at a major firm (CBRE/JLL/CW/Newmark). Our team is good, not the top team in the market, but well respected and has the same institutional relationships as the rest of the competing firms.

I am underpaid, no question about it. When we are busy, I work 65-70 hours a week. It’s rare for us to have “slow” weeks. I make $75k base, and have had an annual bonus of $30k each of the last 2 years. Probably above standard base pay for capital markets analysts, but my bonus is effectively fixed. This is good when the market is down, like most of 2022, but it obviously significantly limits upside.

I see the potential of what success looks like as a broker, but it’s tough to slog through these early years when I see peers on the buy side cashing in.

Appreciate any advice anyone might have!

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