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Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2013

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2013. Each company is given an adjusted score using Bayesian estimates, which takes into account the number of reviews for a particular company. For more details, please see the Methodology FAQ below.
Hardest Interviews (1)
What fund has the hardest interview?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
97.4%
H.I.G. Capital
94.9%
Bain Capital
92.3%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
89.7%
TPG Global
87.2%
Tenaska Capital Management
84.6%
Permira Advisers
82.1%
Summit Partners
79.5%
The Riverside Company
76.9%
GTCR
74.4%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (39 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Interview Experience (1)
What fund has the best interview experience?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Bain Capital
97.4%
Hamilton Lane
94.9%
Brown Brothers Harriman
92.3%
Blackstone Group
89.7%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
87.2%
EnCap Investments L.P.
84.6%
Carl Marks and Co
82.1%
Audax Group
79.5%
Leonard Green and Partners
76.9%
Teachers Private Capital
74.4%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (39 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

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Professional Growth and Career Opportunities - 57 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Fortress Investment Group
96.5%
The Riverside Company
94.7%
Avondale Partners
93.0%
Colony Capital LLC
91.2%
Permira Advisers
89.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
87.7%
Hypatia Capital Group
86.0%
Carlyle Group
84.2%
Woori Financial Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Professional Growth Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for professional growth?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.3%
Fortress Investment Group
96.6%
The Riverside Company
94.8%
Permira Advisers
93.1%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.4%
Avondale Partners
89.7%
Hypatia Capital Group
87.9%
Colony Capital LLC
86.2%
Audax Group
84.5%
Mirae Asset
82.8%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (58 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.3%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.6%
Fortress Investment Group
94.8%
Hypatia Capital Group
93.1%
The Riverside Company
91.4%
General Atlantic
89.7%
Permira Advisers
87.9%
Colony Capital LLC
86.2%
Avondale Partners
84.5%
Audax Group
82.8%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (58 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Intern Offer Rates (1)
Average percentage of interns receiving full time offers
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
75.0%
Sberbank CIB
70.0%
Colony Capital LLC
50.0%
Avondale Partners
50.0%
Audax Group
40.0%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%
3i
20.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (7 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 57 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.7%
The Riverside Company
93.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.2%
Permira Advisers
89.5%
Colony Capital LLC
87.7%
Carlyle Group
86.0%
Woori Financial Group
84.2%
Fortress Investment Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Recognition (1)
Recognition and praise you receive when you do a good job?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Hypatia Capital Group
96.5%
Avondale Partners
94.7%
The Riverside Company
93.0%
Carlyle Group
91.2%
Permira Advisers
89.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
87.7%
Fortress Investment Group
86.0%
Colony Capital LLC
84.2%
Partners Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Most Fair (1)
Fairness in how promotions are given and people are treated?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Fortress Investment Group
94.7%
Colony Capital LLC
93.0%
The Riverside Company
91.2%
Hypatia Capital Group
89.5%
Permira Advisers
87.7%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
86.0%
Carlyle Group
84.2%
Brown Brothers Harriman
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 57 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.3%
Fortress Investment Group
96.6%
The Riverside Company
94.8%
Permira Advisers
93.1%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.4%
Colony Capital LLC
89.7%
Trillium Group
87.9%
CITIC Capital
86.2%
Spencer Stuart
84.5%
The Halifax Group
82.8%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (58 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 57 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.7%
Colony Capital LLC
93.0%
Permira Advisers
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
Brown Brothers Harriman
87.7%
Carlyle Group
86.0%
Fortress Investment Group
84.2%
Audax Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Teamwork (1)
Information and knowledge sharing withing company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Colony Capital LLC
96.5%
Avondale Partners
94.7%
Hypatia Capital Group
93.0%
Permira Advisers
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
87.7%
Fortress Investment Group
86.0%
Audax Group
84.2%
Partners Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Leadership (1)
Leadership abilities of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.7%
Fortress Investment Group
93.0%
Colony Capital LLC
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
Carlyle Group
87.7%
Permira Advisers
86.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
84.2%
Audax Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Audax Group
94.7%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.0%
The Riverside Company
91.2%
Fortress Investment Group
89.5%
Carlyle Group
87.7%
Permira Advisers
86.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
84.2%
Woori Financial Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 57 Private Equity Firms

Proudest Employees (1)
Company as a place you are proud to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.5%
Colony Capital LLC
94.7%
Avondale Partners
93.0%
Fortress Investment Group
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
Permira Advisers
87.7%
Audax Group
86.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
84.2%
Woori Financial Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Recommended (1)
Company as a place you would recommend to others to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
The Riverside Company
96.5%
Colony Capital LLC
94.7%
Permira Advisers
93.0%
Avondale Partners
91.2%
Fortress Investment Group
89.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
87.7%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
86.0%
Carlyle Group
84.2%
Woori Financial Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 57 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Avondale Partners
98.2%
Blackstone Group
96.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.7%
Colony Capital LLC
93.0%
Fortress Investment Group
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
Brown Brothers Harriman
87.7%
Carlyle Group
86.0%
Woori Financial Group
84.2%
Partners Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Work/Life Balance (1)
Employer support in balancing between work life and personal life?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Avondale Partners
96.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.7%
Fortress Investment Group
93.0%
Colony Capital LLC
91.2%
The Riverside Company
89.5%
Brown Brothers Harriman
87.7%
Permira Advisers
86.0%
Woori Financial Group
84.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Worst Work/Life Balance (1)
Employer support in balancing between work life and personal life?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Cerberus Capital Management
98.2%
AEA Investors
96.5%
Warburg Pincus
94.7%
CIM Group
93.0%
Summit Partners
91.2%
Diamond Castle
89.5%
Mirae Asset
87.7%
Audax Group
86.0%
Millstein and Co
84.2%
Centerboard Group
82.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (57 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Most Average Hours Worked (1)
How many hours do you work an average?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
AEA Investors
87.5
Court Square Capital Partners
85.0
Onex
81.7
Audax Group
80.0
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Permira Advisers
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
75.0
Castle Harlan
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Blackstone Group
74.3
Cerberus Capital Management
74.2
Golden Gate Capital
74.0
Pantheon Ventures
73.3
Colony Capital LLC
73.3
J. C. Flowers & Co.
72.5
Sun Capital
71.7
Bain Capital
70.9
H.I.G. Capital
70.7
Capstone Infrastructure
70.0
3i
70.0
The Riverside Company
70.0
Sterling Partners
70.0
Apollo Global Management
68.8
Starwood Capital Group
68.3
Hony Capital
67.5
Tailwind Capital
66.3
DBS Group
66.0
TPG Global
65.6
Warburg Pincus
65.0

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (64 total firms).

Historical Report Quick links

20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Methodology FAQ

How often is this data updated?
The rankings are constantly changing and evolving based on additional data we collect every day. The graphs and tables use the data from YTD and the prior 2 years. See tabs located above on this page to access previous year rankings.
Why do the average compensation numbers look so low?
Remember that the compensation you are accustomed to hearing for top performers in the top groups in New York is well above the average for cities around the world. The compensation average graphs are a global average which includes regional cities and groups that bring the average down. If you would like company and group specific compensation data, please visit the WSO Company Database.
Where does this data come from?
The compensation, review and interview data comes from WSO member submissions to the WSO Company Database. With over 50,000 submissions to date across thousands of companies, the database is solely a representation of what our members were paid and how they rank companies on various metrics. Please see below for a detailed breakdown of the member statistics for those that have contributed to the database.
What are the percentile rankings based on?
The percentile rankings of companies listed here are based on the current YTD and the prior two years of data for companies that received at least one vote. The simple average scores are converted into an Adjusted Score before the companies are ranked to take into account companies with a smaller sample size. This method uses Bayesian Statistics.
Why do you use Bayesian Statistics to adjust scores?
This methodology is used in order to account for standard deviation in rankings. As a company gets more rankings and data, we have more confidence that the average ranking is a true reflection of reality, so this is reflected in the adjusted scores and Percentile rankings. Learn more about Bayesian Statistics here.
Why don't I see company XYZ?
Some great smaller firms may not be represented in the rankings for the simple reason that we have not collected enough data to represent them accurately or for us to have enough data to display them at all.
What is the geographical representation of the submissions?
The WSO user base is very US-centric with approximately 70% of all submissions coming within the United States of America. Please see the detailed breakdown of the member statistics for those that have contributed to the database. For more company and city specific compensation, please visit the WSO Company Database.

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