Historical Report Quick links

20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2016

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2016. 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
98.6%
H.I.G. Capital
97.2%
Bain Capital
95.8%
Starwood Capital Group
94.4%
Partners Group
93.1%
Warburg Pincus
91.7%
Vista Equity Partners
90.3%
Silver Lake
88.9%
Onex
87.5%
TPG Global
86.1%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (72 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
98.6%
Hamilton Lane
97.2%
Partners Group
95.8%
Teachers Private Capital
94.4%
Ares Capital Management
93.1%
Brown Brothers Harriman
91.7%
Carlyle Group
90.3%
Blackstone Group
88.9%
Audax Group
87.5%
Leonard Green and Partners
86.1%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (72 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 - 79 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
Warburg Pincus
94.9%
Fortress Investment Group
93.7%
Starwood Capital Group
92.4%
Shore Capital Partners
91.1%
North Brookside Capital
89.9%
Avondale Partners
88.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Professional Growth Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for professional growth?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.8%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.3%
Warburg Pincus
95.0%
Audax Group
93.8%
Carlyle Group
92.5%
Fortress Investment Group
91.3%
North Brookside Capital
90.0%
Permira Advisers
88.8%
Starwood Capital Group
87.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (80 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.8%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.3%
The Riverside Company
95.0%
Warburg Pincus
93.8%
Audax Group
92.5%
Starwood Capital Group
91.3%
Fortress Investment Group
90.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
88.8%
Tenaska Capital Management
87.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (80 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
45.0%
Tenaska Capital Management
40.0%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%
Advent International Corporation
30.0%
3i
20.0%
Amundi
20.0%
Carlyle Group
20.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (11 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 79 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
The Riverside Company
98.7%
Blackstone Group
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
Avondale Partners
94.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.7%
Hypatia Capital Group
92.4%
Warburg Pincus
91.1%
Partners Group
89.9%
Audax Group
88.6%
Shore Capital Partners
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
98.7%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.7%
Shore Capital Partners
92.4%
Warburg Pincus
91.1%
Avondale Partners
89.9%
Permira Advisers
88.6%
Apollo Global Management
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
98.7%
Avondale Partners
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
The Riverside Company
94.9%
North Brookside Capital
93.7%
Fortress Investment Group
92.4%
Colony Capital LLC
91.1%
Shore Capital Partners
89.9%
Tenaska Capital Management
88.6%
Warburg Pincus
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 79 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.8%
Warburg Pincus
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.3%
Cerberus Capital Management
95.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.8%
The Riverside Company
92.5%
Fortress Investment Group
91.3%
Lone Star Funds
90.0%
Permira Advisers
88.8%
Starwood Capital Group
87.5%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (80 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 79 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
Avondale Partners
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
The Riverside Company
94.9%
Hypatia Capital Group
93.7%
Colony Capital LLC
92.4%
Shore Capital Partners
91.1%
North Brookside Capital
89.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
88.6%
Starwood Capital Group
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Teamwork (1)
Information and knowledge sharing withing company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
Warburg Pincus
97.5%
Colony Capital LLC
96.2%
The Riverside Company
94.9%
Avondale Partners
93.7%
Carlyle Group
92.4%
Shore Capital Partners
91.1%
North Brookside Capital
89.9%
Hypatia Capital Group
88.6%
Apollo Global Management
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Leadership (1)
Leadership abilities of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
Carlyle Group
97.5%
The Riverside Company
96.2%
Warburg Pincus
94.9%
Avondale Partners
93.7%
Hypatia Capital Group
92.4%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.1%
North Brookside Capital
89.9%
Shore Capital Partners
88.6%
Colony Capital LLC
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
Audax Group
97.5%
Warburg Pincus
96.2%
Carlyle Group
94.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.7%
The Riverside Company
92.4%
Avondale Partners
91.1%
H.I.G. Capital
89.9%
North Brookside Capital
88.6%
Shore Capital Partners
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 79 Private Equity Firms

Proudest Employees (1)
Company as a place you are proud to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.7%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.5%
The Riverside Company
96.2%
Colony Capital LLC
94.9%
Warburg Pincus
93.7%
Avondale Partners
92.4%
Cerberus Capital Management
91.1%
Carlyle Group
89.9%
Fortress Investment Group
88.6%
Permira Advisers
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
98.7%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
Carlyle Group
96.2%
Warburg Pincus
94.9%
Colony Capital LLC
93.7%
Starwood Capital Group
92.4%
Permira Advisers
91.1%
Shore Capital Partners
89.9%
North Brookside Capital
88.6%
Avondale Partners
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 79 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Avondale Partners
98.7%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
Blackstone Group
96.2%
Carlyle Group
94.9%
Hypatia Capital Group
93.7%
Colony Capital LLC
92.4%
North Brookside Capital
91.1%
HarbourVest
89.9%
Partners Group
88.6%
Fortress Investment Group
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
98.7%
The Riverside Company
97.5%
Avondale Partners
96.2%
Carlyle Group
94.9%
Hypatia Capital Group
93.7%
Fortress Investment Group
92.4%
North Brookside Capital
91.1%
Colony Capital LLC
89.9%
HarbourVest
88.6%
Shore Capital Partners
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
Diamond Castle
98.7%
Hercules Technology Growth Capital
97.5%
Onex
96.2%
AEA Investors
94.9%
Silver Oak Services Partners
93.7%
Mirae Asset
92.4%
Chatham Capital
91.1%
Ardian
89.9%
Charlesbank Capital Partners
88.6%
Lovell Minnick Partners
87.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (79 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
Silver Lake
87.5
AEA Investors
80.0
Centerbridge Partners
80.0
Audax Group
79.2
Court Square Capital Partners
78.3
Wasserstein & Co.
78.3
WL Ross and Co LLC
78.3
Permira Advisers
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Gores Group
77.5
Onex
77.0
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Warburg Pincus
75.0
Castle Harlan
75.0
The Sterling Group
75.0
TA Associates
75.0
Bregal Sagemount
75.0
Ardian
75.0
Blackstone Group
74.4
Golden Gate Capital
74.0
Leonard Green and Partners
73.3
Cerberus Capital Management
71.9
Sun Capital
71.7
Charlesbank Capital Partners
71.7
Level Equity
71.7
Colony Capital LLC
71.3
GTCR
70.0
Sterling Partners
70.0

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (113 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.

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