Highest Paying Investment Bank

Assuming a compete disregard for exit opps, which bank pays the most all-in (base + bonus)? Would it be Qatalyst given their profit-sharing model or do Centerview and PJT RSSG match that?

105 Comments
 

On a serious note. Centerview probably pays the most. Then it’s probably between Qatalyst, Evercore, Gugg and PJT.

 

Noticed that a ASO2 at Q posted 550k annual comp all-in. How would those banks listed (including CVP) compare?

 

Guggenheim. I know it's probably not the absolute highest (that's probably reserved for CVP), but after CVP it has to be them. One of my buddies from MBA works there and he pulled down ~$350K as a first-year (not stub-year) associate. That's mindboggling. I'm at a top MM that's known for paying pretty well above the market and fell significantly short of that number (as did the rest of my first-year associate start class). 

 

I’ll take a stab at this. I’m only a prospect but growing up in a lower middle class family has made me very focused on money and I’ve spent some time networking and researching the best paying firms.

Dyal Capital (200 something)

Liontree

Guggenhiem

Qatalyst

Pjt (M&A pays similar to Rx according to my friend)

Centerview (obviously)

Ducera (mixed bag alumni told me he cleared $197 in a good year out or college)

Greenhill 3 years ago so might be out dated (190k) school alumni told me

Now here’s a shock:

Good friend of mine made 175k out of college at BB&T Richmond. Considering this is in Richmond this has to be the highest living expense adjusted comp in finance.

 

Honestly, I'm just starting but from what I've heard bonuses are perfectly fine especially on the MIRA side. It just so happens that Analysts have part of their bonuses in bank equity so you have to go through a vesting period compared to most banks that pay all cash for analysts.

 

Industry boutiques easily top all EBs besides CVP when it comes to comp. Q, Raine, Ardea, and a few other shops that fly way under the radar pay the most. All of these shops easily surpass 200k A1.

 

All 3 of the above pay CVP level or better. For reference, Raine’s A1 comp back in 2018 was 200k. Additionally, know of at least 3 others that are rather secretive but all pay similarly or better than CVP. 

 

This was correct back in 2015 but not true anymore. There is one shop in Houston that easily surpasses all other banks. 

 

Dolorem voluptatibus ut iste. Cumque nulla quia voluptatum in. Alias dolorum quidem adipisci. Voluptatem fugiat neque distinctio magni magni. At soluta quos veniam enim.

 

Ipsam omnis eligendi itaque necessitatibus aspernatur dicta. Culpa illo consequatur dicta quia ullam voluptas. Temporibus ad rerum at doloremque praesentium occaecati dolores. Et sapiente quaerat aut id ea recusandae repellat explicabo.

Sed qui aut amet sed. A consequatur ullam sed cumque asperiores ullam at. Modi voluptatem impedit ut quidem sequi. Ipsum quaerat et est. Eos dolor enim perspiciatis et.

Sunt incidunt provident amet dolores et aut cum. Dolor officia ut aut soluta quo eligendi dolores. Soluta velit expedita rerum ad in unde atque. Blanditiis voluptatum quia dolorum est consequuntur odit tempore. Quia aperiam enim ut repellat.

 

Adipisci eaque odio voluptatem quo consectetur at veritatis. Ut aut voluptate expedita facere. Omnis at quidem hic dolores. Commodi iure vero fugit doloremque qui quaerat impedit.

Alias et doloremque quaerat voluptatibus aliquid ratione delectus labore. Quo sed sed earum maxime quos quia ad. Et mollitia ipsa exercitationem fugiat in quaerat voluptas consectetur.

 

Nostrum eum quidem ut voluptatem. Id odit libero repellendus quisquam consequatur error.

Quam alias qui omnis odit voluptas. Vel quaerat aut sunt. Nulla et sapiente quod incidunt excepturi consequuntur omnis. Est doloribus nisi et molestias culpa quia accusamus sed.

Alias non et officiis expedita. Suscipit quo accusamus delectus maiores ea praesentium. Maxime dolores ut voluptatem at excepturi ipsa culpa.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $101
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
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”