Private-Equity Pay Growth Disappoints as Industry Slumps

“There’s a more optimistic environment in private equity and financial services in general, but we’re not seeing it translate immediately into staffing build-outs,” said Chris Connors, a principal at compensation consulting firm Johnson Associates. “We’re seeing tepid hiring, with head counts flattish.”

In a Nov. 12 report, Johnson Associates said 2024 bonuses in private equity would be up about 5% from last year. Employees at large firms will see most of the gains, while those at smaller firms will receive mostly flat compensation, the report said.