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Private Equity Company Statistics - As of December, 2014

These statistics are based solely on all user submissions to the WSO Company Database for employment through December, 2014. 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
98.3%
H.I.G. Capital
96.7%
Bain Capital
95.0%
Starwood Capital Group
93.3%
Warburg Pincus
91.7%
Silver Lake
90.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
88.3%
TPG Global
86.7%
Leonard Green and Partners
85.0%
Onex
83.3%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (60 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
98.3%
Hamilton Lane
96.7%
Brown Brothers Harriman
95.0%
Teachers Private Capital
93.3%
Blackstone Group
91.7%
Leonard Green and Partners
90.0%
Raine Group
88.3%
Carl Marks and Co
86.7%
EnCap Investments L.P.
85.0%
Fortress Investment Group
83.3%

Percentile calculated only based off of private equity firms that received at least two interview insights (60 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

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Professional Growth and Career Opportunities - 67 Private Equity Firms

Overall Employee Satisfaction (1)
Overall how satisfied are you working for this company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Fortress Investment Group
95.5%
Shore Capital Partners
94.0%
Avondale Partners
92.5%
Colony Capital LLC
91.0%
Permira Advisers
89.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
88.1%
H.I.G. Capital
86.6%
Warburg Pincus
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Professional Growth Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for professional growth?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.1%
Fortress Investment Group
95.6%
Permira Advisers
94.1%
Avondale Partners
92.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.2%
Hypatia Capital Group
89.7%
Chatham Capital
88.2%
Warburg Pincus
86.8%
Colony Capital LLC
85.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (68 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Career Advancement Opportunities (1)
Your opportunities for career advancement?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.1%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
95.6%
Fortress Investment Group
94.1%
Hypatia Capital Group
92.6%
Tenaska Capital Management
91.2%
Warburg Pincus
89.7%
General Atlantic
88.2%
H.I.G. Capital
86.8%
Permira Advisers
85.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (68 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%
Tenaska Capital Management
40.0%
Audax Group
36.7%
Hamilton Lane
30.0%
3i
20.0%

Simple average based off of private equity firms that received at least one intern offer data point (8 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Promotions and Fairness - 67 Private Equity Firms

Feedback (1)
Feedback you receive about your job performance?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
The Riverside Company
98.5%
Blackstone Group
97.0%
Avondale Partners
95.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.0%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
92.5%
Warburg Pincus
91.0%
Permira Advisers
89.6%
Shore Capital Partners
88.1%
Colony Capital LLC
86.6%
Carlyle Group
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Hypatia Capital Group
95.5%
Shore Capital Partners
94.0%
Avondale Partners
92.5%
Carlyle Group
91.0%
Warburg Pincus
89.6%
Permira Advisers
88.1%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
86.6%
H.I.G. Capital
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
98.5%
Avondale Partners
97.0%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Colony Capital LLC
94.0%
Fortress Investment Group
92.5%
Shore Capital Partners
91.0%
Tenaska Capital Management
89.6%
Hypatia Capital Group
88.1%
Permira Advisers
86.6%
Warburg Pincus
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Compensation - 67 Private Equity Firms

Best Pay (1)
Your compensation compared with similar jobs elsewhere?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.1%
Fortress Investment Group
95.6%
Warburg Pincus
94.1%
Permira Advisers
92.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.2%
Cerberus Capital Management
89.7%
Colony Capital LLC
88.2%
H.I.G. Capital
86.8%
Apollo Global Management
85.3%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (68 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Senior Management - 67 Private Equity Firms

Best Communication (1)
Communications from management about important issues and changes?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
Avondale Partners
97.0%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.0%
Colony Capital LLC
92.5%
Shore Capital Partners
91.0%
Permira Advisers
89.6%
Brown Brothers Harriman
88.1%
Carlyle Group
86.6%
Tenaska Capital Management
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Teamwork (1)
Information and knowledge sharing withing company?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
Colony Capital LLC
97.0%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Avondale Partners
94.0%
Shore Capital Partners
92.5%
Warburg Pincus
91.0%
H.I.G. Capital
89.6%
Hypatia Capital Group
88.1%
Permira Advisers
86.6%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Best Leadership (1)
Leadership abilities of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Avondale Partners
95.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.0%
Shore Capital Partners
92.5%
Fortress Investment Group
91.0%
Colony Capital LLC
89.6%
Carlyle Group
88.1%
Tenaska Capital Management
86.6%
Permira Advisers
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Competence (1)
Competence of senior management?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
Audax Group
97.0%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Avondale Partners
94.0%
Shore Capital Partners
92.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
91.0%
Fortress Investment Group
89.6%
Carlyle Group
88.1%
Warburg Pincus
86.6%
Permira Advisers
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Salary and Bonus Data Available

Reputation - 67 Private Equity Firms

Proudest Employees (1)
Company as a place you are proud to work?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Blackstone Group
98.5%
KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
97.0%
The Riverside Company
95.5%
Colony Capital LLC
94.0%
Avondale Partners
92.5%
Fortress Investment Group
91.0%
Permira Advisers
89.6%
Tenaska Capital Management
88.1%
Cerberus Capital Management
86.6%
Shore Capital Partners
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Colony Capital LLC
95.5%
Permira Advisers
94.0%
Shore Capital Partners
92.5%
Avondale Partners
91.0%
Fortress Investment Group
89.6%
Hypatia Capital Group
88.1%
H.I.G. Capital
86.6%
Tenaska Capital Management
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 total firms). See Methodology FAQ below for more information.

Company Specific Data Available

Life Style - 67 Private Equity Firms

Time Off (1)
Management support for needed time off?
Firm
YoY Δ
Percentile
Avondale Partners
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Blackstone Group
95.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.0%
Colony Capital LLC
92.5%
HarbourVest
91.0%
Fortress Investment Group
89.6%
Tenaska Capital Management
88.1%
Brown Brothers Harriman
86.6%
Carlyle Group
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
98.5%
The Riverside Company
97.0%
Avondale Partners
95.5%
Hypatia Capital Group
94.0%
Fortress Investment Group
92.5%
Colony Capital LLC
91.0%
Shore Capital Partners
89.6%
HarbourVest
88.1%
Brown Brothers Harriman
86.6%
Woori Financial Group
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
Summit Partners
98.5%
Silver Oak Services Partners
97.0%
Onex
95.5%
AEA Investors
94.0%
CIM Group
92.5%
Diamond Castle
91.0%
Mirae Asset
89.6%
Audax Group
88.1%
Cerberus Capital Management
86.6%
Chatham Capital
85.1%

Percentile calculated based off of adjusted score only for private equity firms that received at least one vote (67 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
88.3
AEA Investors
87.5
Court Square Capital Partners
85.0
Onex
81.7
Audax Group
80.0
Wasserstein & Co.
78.3
Sankaty Advisors
77.5
Gores Group
77.5
Permira Advisers
77.5
Gryphon Investors
77.5
The Sterling Group
75.0
Warburg Pincus
75.0
Montgomery & Co.
75.0
Castle Harlan
75.0
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
75.0
Blackstone Group
74.4
Cerberus Capital Management
74.2
Golden Gate Capital
74.0
Pantheon Ventures
73.3
Colony Capital LLC
73.3
Sun Capital
71.7
Level Equity
71.7
The Riverside Company
70.5
Apollo Capital
70.0
Phatisa
70.0
Summit Partners
70.0
CCMP Capital Advisors
70.0
Sterling Partners
70.0
H.I.G. Capital
70.0
GTCR
70.0

Only includes private equity firms that received at least three submissions with hourly data (85 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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