Historical Report Quick links

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2019

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2019. 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
H.I.G. Capital
99.1%
Blackstone Group
98.1%
Bain Capital
97.2%
Starwood Capital Group
96.2%
Apollo Global Management
95.3%
Vista Equity Partners
94.3%
Onex
93.4%
Partners Group
92.5%
TPG Global
91.5%
Warburg Pincus
90.6%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (106 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Interview Experience (1)
What fund has the best interview experience?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Hamilton Lane
99.1%
Bain Capital
98.1%
Partners Group
97.2%
Vista Equity Partners
96.2%
Teachers Private Capital
95.3%
JMI Equity
94.3%
Blackstone Group
93.4%
Brown Brothers Harriman
92.5%
Audax Group
91.5%
Carlyle Group
90.6%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (106 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Prepare for Your Private Equity Interview

WSO Private Equity Interview Course

Professional Growth and Career Opportunities - 166 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
The Riverside Company
98.8%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.2%
TPG Global
97.6%
Bain Capital
97.0%
Carlyle Group
96.4%
Warburg Pincus
95.8%
Starwood Capital Group
95.2%
Apollo Global Management
94.6%
Fortress Investment Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Professional Growth Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for professional growth?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
Bain Capital
98.8%
Apollo Global Management
98.2%
The Riverside Company
97.6%
Warburg Pincus
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.4%
Starwood Capital Group
95.8%
TPG Global
95.2%
Carlyle Group
94.6%
Partners Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
Apollo Global Management
98.8%
The Riverside Company
98.2%
Warburg Pincus
97.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
Bain Capital
96.4%
Carlyle Group
95.8%
Audax Group
95.2%
Starwood Capital Group
94.6%
Vista Equity Partners
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (167 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
Roark Capital Group
100.0%
Insight Venture Partners
85.0%
LGT Capital Partners
80.0%
Sberbank CIB
70.0%
Alpine Investors
70.0%
Maranon Capital
60.0%
Blackstone Group
51.7%
Colony Capital LLC
50.0%
Avondale Partners
50.0%
OMERS
50.0%
LLR Partners
50.0%
Bain Capital
50.0%
Audax Group
46.7%
Starwood Capital Group
46.7%
Advent International Corporation
30.0%
GTCR
30.0%
Search Fund Accelerator
30.0%
Tenaska Capital Management
30.0%
Apollo Global Management
30.0%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%
Brown Brothers Harriman
25.0%
Eurazeo
25.0%
HarbourVest
20.0%
Carlyle Group
20.0%
Amundi
20.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (30 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 166 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
TPG Global
99.4%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.8%
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Apollo Global Management
97.6%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
Bain Capital
96.4%
Hamilton Lane
95.8%
The Riverside Company
95.2%
Vista Equity Partners
94.6%
Partners Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (167 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
TPG Global
99.4%
Blackstone Group
98.8%
The Riverside Company
98.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.6%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
Bain Capital
96.4%
Warburg Pincus
95.8%
Grosvenor Capital Management
95.2%
Hamilton Lane
94.6%
Fosun
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 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
The Riverside Company
99.4%
Blackstone Group
98.8%
Vista Equity Partners
98.2%
Carlyle Group
97.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
Warburg Pincus
96.4%
TPG Global
95.8%
Bain Capital
95.2%
Apollo Global Management
94.6%
CITIC Capital
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 166 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Warburg Pincus
99.4%
Bain Capital
98.8%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.2%
TPG Global
97.6%
Blackstone Group
97.0%
Apollo Global Management
96.4%
Carlyle Group
95.8%
Starwood Capital Group
95.2%
Cerberus Capital Management
94.6%
The Riverside Company
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (167 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 166 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
Carlyle Group
98.8%
The Riverside Company
98.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.6%
Bain Capital
97.0%
Fosun
96.4%
Adams Street Partners
95.8%
Graham Partners
95.2%
HarbourVest
94.6%
TPG Global
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Teamwork (1)
Information and knowledge sharing withing company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
TPG Global
98.8%
The Riverside Company
98.2%
Warburg Pincus
97.6%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
Bain Capital
96.4%
Vista Equity Partners
95.8%
Starwood Capital Group
95.2%
Graham Partners
94.6%
Apollo Global Management
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Leadership (1)
Leadership abilities of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Apollo Global Management
99.4%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.8%
Blackstone Group
98.2%
TPG Global
97.6%
Bain Capital
97.0%
The Riverside Company
96.4%
Carlyle Group
95.8%
Vista Equity Partners
95.2%
Warburg Pincus
94.6%
Starwood Capital Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
The Riverside Company
98.8%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.2%
Bain Capital
97.6%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
TPG Global
96.4%
Warburg Pincus
95.8%
Vista Equity Partners
95.2%
Audax Group
94.6%
Starwood Capital Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 166 Private Equity Firms

Proudest Employees (1)
Company as a place you are proud to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
99.4%
TPG Global
98.8%
Blackstone Group
98.2%
Apollo Global Management
97.6%
Bain Capital
97.0%
The Riverside Company
96.4%
Carlyle Group
95.8%
Cerberus Capital Management
95.2%
Warburg Pincus
94.6%
Fortress Investment Group
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (167 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
The Riverside Company
99.4%
Blackstone Group
98.8%
TPG Global
98.2%
Bain Capital
97.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
Carlyle Group
96.4%
Warburg Pincus
95.8%
Starwood Capital Group
95.2%
Eurazeo
94.6%
Cerberus Capital Management
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (167 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 166 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Partners Group
99.4%
HarbourVest
98.8%
TPG Global
98.2%
The Riverside Company
97.6%
Bain Capital
97.0%
Hamilton Lane
96.4%
Carlyle Group
95.8%
Warburg Pincus
95.2%
Blackstone Group
94.6%
Grosvenor Capital Management
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 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
HarbourVest
99.4%
Hamilton Lane
98.8%
TPG Global
98.2%
Bain Capital
97.6%
Warburg Pincus
97.0%
Grosvenor Capital Management
96.4%
Adams Street Partners
95.8%
Partners Group
95.2%
Blackstone Group
94.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 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
Proprietors Capital Holdings
99.4%
International Farming Corporation
98.8%
Diamond Castle
98.2%
Silver Oak Services Partners
97.6%
Hercules Technology Growth Capital
97.0%
RoundTable Heathcare Partners
96.4%
Logos Capital
95.8%
Lexington Partners
95.2%
K1 Investment Management
94.6%
Brookfield
94.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (166 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
CLSA
87.5
Glenfarne Group
87.5
Francisco Partners
87.5
Silver Lake
80.4
Riverstone Holdings
80.0
Aquiline Capital Partners
80.0
IFM Investors
80.0
Actera Group
78.8
Onex
78.6
Wasserstein & Co.
78.3
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
78.3
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
Roark Capital Group
77.1
NewSpring Capital
76.7
Audax Group
76.3
Warburg Pincus
75.7
Apollo Capital
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Sterling Partners
75.0
Centerbridge Partners
75.0
Court Square Capital Partners
75.0
Bregal Sagemount
75.0
The Sterling Group
75.0
WL Ross and Co LLC
75.0
Lee Equity Partners
75.0
Castle Harlan
75.0
Windjammer Capital Investors
75.0
Charlesbank Capital Partners
74.6
AEA Investors
74.0

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (216 total firms).

Historical Report Quick links

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

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.

Free Private Equity Career Resources

Private Equity Interview Questions
Private Equity Resume Template
Why Private Equity
Private Equity Associate
Private Equity Salary
Private Equity vs Venture Capital