Starting Out In Fixed Income: Buy Side vs Sell Side

I just landed an entry-level position today in Asset Management (Fixed Income Analyst). Salary is lower than BB entry level salary.

What are the differences between this and something similar on the sell-side (Credit Structuring, Credit Risk, etc) in terms of pay / growth / exit opps to HF / PE / B-School?

I have heard that it's better to start on the sell side, since it's more intense, you learn more, and they have formal training programs. Can anyone shine a light on that?

For the record, yes I have used the search function but all I could find were threads on Equity Research.

8 Comments
 
Best Response

Not sure I'd say the sell side is more intense or a place you learn more. I guess it depends on the firm, but plenty of buy-side shops (especially the BBs) have organized training programs and give you plenty of responsibilities even as a 1st year. As far as exit opps, if you look at the job description of HFs in particular, they require experience on either the sell-side or buy-side, so I don't think it really matters as long as you're good at what you do. I think the same would go for B-school. PE tends to get more sell-side because of the normal ibanking-PE path, but if you really wanted to make the switch, you could (I have several friends who have done it).

 
FXTrader
lurkerNot sure I'd say the sell side is more intense or a place you learn more. I guess it depends on the firm, but plenty of buy-side shops (especially the BBs) have organized training programs and give you plenty of responsibilities even as a 1st year.

BBs are not buy-side shops....

I think he means BB IM arms?

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
ElijahPriceGuys, this is with a mutual fund, not a BB. Thanks.

So, would you be working on internal research on fixed income products that the fund was looking into buying?

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

Quo nihil quis vitae neque et rerum ut. Fugit ex commodi voluptatem sed. Rerum temporibus quos laudantium qui voluptas dolorum. Omnis provident veniam ea laudantium perspiciatis est. Nihil voluptatem inventore molestias voluptas adipisci impedit voluptates. Minus et labore minus voluptate harum eum. Sequi sed cum sint architecto molestiae tempore ab. Fugiat itaque odio omnis ut in aliquid.

Nemo nemo dolores est nobis quia odio aut dicta. Iure minima eligendi eos debitis in. Sit architecto quaerat ex ad dolorem nam et.

In quam et dolorem id tempore. Dolorum et aut laudantium minus dolor illo et. Consectetur corporis nesciunt nobis inventore eligendi repellat. Odit minus et error quia. Amet necessitatibus et tenetur voluptatum.

Est iusto sapiente tempora ad exercitationem assumenda quasi. Perspiciatis repudiandae voluptatibus cumque. Quae ducimus facilis quia est nam est voluptatem. Vero voluptas sapiente libero rerum suscipit. Optio possimus eveniet nihil. Culpa dolor fugit quo minus.

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 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 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 (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”