Private equity associate

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What private equity investors make, with bonus

Senior associate

$425,000

First-year associate

$175,000

Partner, before carry

$800,000

Cash pay from 2026 reports that draw on Heidrick and Struggles and recruiter data. Partners often make far more once carry pays out. The government's broad category, financial and investment analysts, has a median of $102,740 and leaves out most bonuses.