Historical Report Quick links

20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2020

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2020. 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
Starwood Capital Group
99.2%
H.I.G. Capital
98.4%
Blackstone Group
97.6%
Bain Capital
96.8%
Apollo Global Management
96.0%
Vista Equity Partners
95.2%
Partners Group
94.4%
Onex
93.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
92.7%
TPG Global
91.9%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (124 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
99.2%
Bain Capital
98.4%
NextGen Growth Partners
97.6%
Partners Group
96.8%
Teachers Private Capital
96.0%
JMI Equity
95.2%
Novacap
94.4%
Vista Equity Partners
93.5%
Blackstone Group
92.7%
Brown Brothers Harriman
91.9%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (124 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 - 178 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.9%
The Riverside Company
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
TPG Global
97.2%
Ardian
96.6%
Apollo Global Management
96.1%
Warburg Pincus
95.5%
Summit Partners
94.9%
Starwood Capital Group
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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%
The Riverside Company
98.9%
Warburg Pincus
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
Apollo Global Management
97.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.6%
Accel-KKR
96.1%
Starwood Capital Group
95.5%
TPG Global
94.9%
Vista Equity Partners
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
The Riverside Company
99.4%
Apollo Global Management
98.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.3%
Blackstone Group
97.8%
Warburg Pincus
97.2%
Bain Capital
96.6%
Vista Equity Partners
96.1%
Audax Group
95.5%
Starwood Capital Group
95.0%
Accel-KKR
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 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
TPG Global
100.0%
Insight Venture Partners
85.0%
LGT Capital Partners
80.0%
Roark Capital Group
75.0%
Sberbank CIB
70.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
70.0%
Alpine Investors
70.0%
Maranon Capital
60.0%
Blackstone Group
50.7%
LLR Partners
50.0%
OMERS
50.0%
Susquehanna Growth Equity
50.0%
Grosvenor Capital Management
50.0%
Bain Capital
50.0%
International Farming Corporation
50.0%
Avondale Partners
50.0%
Colony Capital LLC
50.0%
Star Mountain Capital
50.0%
Starwood Capital Group
46.7%
Audax Group
46.7%
Advent International Corporation
30.0%
Tenaska Capital Management
30.0%
Apollo Global Management
30.0%
GTCR
30.0%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (39 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 178 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
99.4%
Blackstone Group
98.9%
Apollo Global Management
98.3%
Vista Equity Partners
97.8%
Bain Capital
97.2%
TPG Global
96.6%
Accel-KKR
96.1%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Warburg Pincus
95.0%
Carlyle Group
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 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
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
99.4%
Blackstone Group
98.9%
TPG Global
98.3%
The Riverside Company
97.8%
Bain Capital
97.2%
Warburg Pincus
96.6%
Grosvenor Capital Management
96.1%
Permira Advisers
95.5%
Carlyle Group
95.0%
Accel-KKR
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 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%
Vista Equity Partners
98.9%
Blackstone Group
98.3%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.8%
Warburg Pincus
97.2%
Bain Capital
96.6%
CITIC Capital
96.1%
Carlyle Group
95.5%
TPG Global
94.9%
Apollo Global Management
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 178 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Warburg Pincus
99.4%
Bain Capital
98.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.3%
Blackstone Group
97.8%
Apollo Global Management
97.2%
TPG Global
96.6%
Carlyle Group
96.1%
Permira Advisers
95.5%
Cerberus Capital Management
95.0%
Starwood Capital Group
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 178 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
The Riverside Company
98.9%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
Accel-KKR
97.2%
Fosun
96.6%
Adams Street Partners
96.1%
TPG Global
95.5%
Carlyle Group
94.9%
HarbourVest
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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%
Accel-KKR
98.9%
The Riverside Company
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
Warburg Pincus
97.2%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.6%
Vista Equity Partners
96.1%
Starwood Capital Group
95.5%
Carlyle Group
94.9%
Graham Partners
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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)
98.9%
Blackstone Group
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
Vista Equity Partners
97.2%
Accel-KKR
96.6%
The Riverside Company
96.1%
TPG Global
95.5%
Warburg Pincus
95.0%
Permira Advisers
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
99.4%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
98.9%
Bain Capital
98.3%
Vista Equity Partners
97.8%
H.I.G. Capital
97.2%
The Riverside Company
96.6%
Warburg Pincus
96.1%
Audax Group
95.5%
Advent International Corporation
95.0%
Starwood Capital Group
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 178 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%
Blackstone Group
98.9%
Apollo Global Management
98.3%
Bain Capital
97.8%
TPG Global
97.2%
The Riverside Company
96.6%
Carlyle Group
96.1%
Ardian
95.5%
Vista Equity Partners
95.0%
Warburg Pincus
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (179 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
99.4%
The Riverside Company
98.9%
Bain Capital
98.3%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.8%
TPG Global
97.2%
Ardian
96.6%
Warburg Pincus
96.1%
Carlyle Group
95.5%
Summit Partners
94.9%
Starwood Capital Group
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 178 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Partners Group
99.4%
Bain Capital
98.9%
Ardian
98.3%
The Riverside Company
97.8%
HarbourVest
97.2%
TPG Global
96.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
96.1%
Grosvenor Capital Management
95.5%
Blackstone Group
94.9%
H.I.G. Capital
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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%
Bain Capital
98.9%
TPG Global
98.3%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.8%
Warburg Pincus
97.2%
Adams Street Partners
96.6%
Ardian
96.1%
Partners Group
95.5%
Blackstone Group
94.9%
CITIC Capital
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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%
TA Associates
98.9%
Diamond Castle
98.3%
Hercules Technology Growth Capital
97.8%
RoundTable Heathcare Partners
97.2%
Logos Capital
96.6%
Lexington Partners
96.1%
Constellation Software Inc
95.5%
L Catterton
94.9%
Portfolio Advisors LLC
94.4%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (178 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
CLSA
87.5
Glenfarne Group
87.5
Francisco Partners
87.5
Silver Lake
80.4
Aquiline Capital Partners
80.0
IFM Investors
80.0
Thomas H Lee Partners (THL)
80.0
Symphony Technology Group
80.0
GIC
80.0
Onex
79.4
Actera Group
78.8
Wasserstein & Co.
78.3
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
78.3
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
78.3
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
Roark Capital Group
76.9
NewSpring Capital
76.7
Audax Group
76.5
Charlesbank Capital Partners
76.4
Warburg Pincus
76.4
TA Associates
75.7
Apollo Capital
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Sterling Partners
75.0
Centerbridge Partners
75.0
Court Square Capital Partners
75.0
The Sterling Group
75.0
Riverstone Holdings
75.0

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (240 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