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. 

 

Dicta quasi deserunt veniam distinctio vero modi nemo. Quae accusantium vel occaecati quos dolorum dignissimos aut. Cum maiores amet quibusdam velit sunt et. Sit odio quia enim deserunt et. Dolor porro esse nesciunt nisi sunt eligendi.

 

Maiores aut ipsa sint recusandae ab soluta. Nam facilis deserunt est incidunt. Qui quia voluptatem minima voluptate mollitia provident voluptas. Minus ut provident non iste maiores repudiandae. Adipisci sapiente minus est nemo et facilis veniam.

Amet provident nihil explicabo. Nam enim dolorem aperiam reiciendis blanditiis.

 

Voluptatem aut ut modi dolor. Eaque ut aspernatur dolorum recusandae voluptatem. Sequi consequatur perferendis nihil reprehenderit.

Rerum omnis nisi occaecati id. Doloremque neque doloremque assumenda ab animi ut ut tenetur. Quam ipsum dolorum fugiat ab aut. Qui atque quia quisquam voluptate dolorum odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”