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Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2017

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2017. 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
98.8%
H.I.G. Capital
97.5%
Bain Capital
96.3%
Starwood Capital Group
95.0%
Partners Group
93.8%
Apollo Global Management
92.5%
Warburg Pincus
91.3%
Silver Lake
90.0%
Onex
88.8%
TPG Global
87.5%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (80 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
98.8%
Hamilton Lane
97.5%
Partners Group
96.3%
JMI Equity
95.0%
Ares Capital Management
93.8%
Teachers Private Capital
92.5%
Brown Brothers Harriman
91.3%
Audax Group
90.0%
Carlyle Group
88.8%
Blackstone Group
87.5%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (80 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

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Professional Growth and Career Opportunities - 100 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Apollo Global Management
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.0%
Search Fund Accelerator
95.0%
Graham Partners
94.0%
Fortress Investment Group
93.0%
Carlyle Group
92.0%
Warburg Pincus
91.0%
Advent International Corporation
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Professional Growth Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for professional growth?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Apollo Global Management
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.0%
Warburg Pincus
95.0%
Bain Capital
94.1%
Audax Group
93.1%
Fortress Investment Group
92.1%
H.I.G. Capital
91.1%
Carlyle Group
90.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (101 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
99.0%
Apollo Global Management
98.0%
Blackstone Group
97.0%
The Riverside Company
96.0%
Carlyle Group
95.0%
Warburg Pincus
94.1%
Audax Group
93.1%
Advent International Corporation
92.1%
Starwood Capital Group
91.1%
Graham Partners
90.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (101 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
83.3%
Sberbank CIB
70.0%
Alpine Investors
70.0%
Colony Capital LLC
50.0%
Avondale Partners
50.0%
Bain Capital
50.0%
Audax Group
45.0%
Starwood Capital Group
40.0%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%
Apollo Global Management
30.0%
Tenaska Capital Management
30.0%
Advent International Corporation
30.0%
3i
20.0%
Amundi
20.0%
Carlyle Group
20.0%
Graham Partners
10.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (16 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 100 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Apollo Global Management
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.0%
Partners Group
95.0%
Carlyle Group
94.0%
TPG Global
93.0%
Avondale Partners
92.0%
Bain Capital
91.0%
Fortress Investment Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
Carlyle Group
96.0%
Apollo Global Management
95.0%
Fortress Investment Group
94.0%
TPG Global
93.0%
Graham Partners
92.0%
Warburg Pincus
91.0%
Bain Capital
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
99.0%
Carlyle Group
98.0%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Apollo Global Management
96.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
95.0%
Fortress Investment Group
94.0%
Avondale Partners
93.0%
Warburg Pincus
92.0%
Advent International Corporation
91.0%
CITIC Capital
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 100 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
Warburg Pincus
98.0%
Apollo Global Management
97.0%
Bain Capital
96.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
95.0%
Carlyle Group
94.1%
TPG Global
93.1%
The Riverside Company
92.1%
Fortress Investment Group
91.1%
Cerberus Capital Management
90.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (101 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 100 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.0%
Search Fund Accelerator
95.0%
Avondale Partners
94.0%
Apollo Global Management
93.0%
Bain Capital
92.0%
Audax Group
91.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Teamwork (1)
Information and knowledge sharing withing company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
Apollo Global Management
98.0%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Warburg Pincus
96.0%
Graham Partners
95.0%
Colony Capital LLC
94.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
93.0%
Carlyle Group
92.0%
Bain Capital
91.0%
Audax Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Leadership (1)
Leadership abilities of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
Apollo Global Management
98.0%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Carlyle Group
96.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
95.0%
Warburg Pincus
94.0%
H.I.G. Capital
93.0%
Advent International Corporation
92.0%
TPG Global
91.0%
Starwood Capital Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
Carlyle Group
98.0%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Audax Group
96.0%
Apollo Global Management
95.0%
Advent International Corporation
94.0%
H.I.G. Capital
93.0%
Warburg Pincus
92.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.0%
Search Fund Accelerator
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 100 Private Equity Firms

Proudest Employees (1)
Company as a place you are proud to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.0%
Apollo Global Management
98.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
The Riverside Company
96.0%
Fortress Investment Group
95.0%
TPG Global
94.0%
Bain Capital
93.0%
Warburg Pincus
92.0%
Carlyle Group
91.0%
Starwood Capital Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Carlyle Group
97.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.0%
Warburg Pincus
95.0%
Bain Capital
94.0%
TPG Global
93.0%
Graham Partners
92.0%
Starwood Capital Group
91.0%
Colony Capital LLC
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 100 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
The Riverside Company
99.0%
Blackstone Group
98.0%
Partners Group
97.0%
Fortress Investment Group
96.0%
Advent International Corporation
95.0%
Search Fund Accelerator
94.0%
Avondale Partners
93.0%
Carlyle Group
92.0%
Apollo Global Management
91.0%
H.I.G. Capital
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
99.0%
The Riverside Company
98.0%
Advent International Corporation
97.0%
Fortress Investment Group
96.0%
Avondale Partners
95.0%
Fosun
94.0%
Graham Partners
93.0%
Hamilton Lane
92.0%
Carlyle Group
91.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
K1 Investment Management
99.0%
International Farming Corporation
98.0%
GTCR
97.0%
Silver Oak Services Partners
96.0%
Hercules Technology Growth Capital
95.0%
Diamond Castle
94.0%
Mirae Asset
93.0%
Onex
92.0%
Charlesbank Capital Partners
91.0%
Centerboard Group
90.0%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (100 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
TowerBrook Capital Partners LP
87.5
Silver Lake
84.3
Roark Capital Group
80.0
Centerbridge Partners
80.0
Audax Group
79.4
Onex
78.6
Wasserstein & Co.
78.3
Court Square Capital Partners
78.3
WL Ross and Co LLC
78.3
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
78.3
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
Gores Group
77.5
Permira Advisers
77.5
Actera Group
76.7
Charlesbank Capital Partners
76.3
Warburg Pincus
75.8
Apollo Capital
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Bregal Sagemount
75.0
The Sterling Group
75.0
Castle Harlan
75.0
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
75.0
Windjammer Capital Investors
75.0
AEA Investors
73.8
Blackstone Group
73.5
Leonard Green and Partners
73.3
TA Associates
73.0
Golden Gate Capital
72.5
Tenex Capital Management
72.5

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (159 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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