Understanding salary for goldman sachs analyst is essential for interview prep and negotiation. This guide breaks down the real numbers, explains why different sources report varying figures, and gives practical steps to research, ask, and negotiate confidently in interviews and offers. Use the data-driven comparisons and the interview tips below to avoid common mistakes like focusing only on base salary or misclassifying your role.
What is the salary for goldman sachs analyst and how is total compensation structured
Salary for goldman sachs analyst is best viewed as total annual compensation rather than base pay alone. On average total annual compensation for analyst-level roles sits between $94.5K and $124K, with reported ranges that can stretch from roughly $88K to $291K depending on experience, division, and role specificity 6figr and levels.fyi. Breaking the package down matters:
Base salary: commonly starts around $88K for many analyst roles, often making up 75–80% of total cash compensation.
Bonus and variable pay: average bonuses vary widely; typical analyst bonuses often range from about $6.5K up to nearly $20K depending on seniority and performance.
Equity/RSUs: stock grants are common and usually vest over a standard three-year schedule (about 33% per year), which materially affects long-term earnings levels.fyi.
Why this matters in interviews: When interviewers or recruiters reference a salary band, ask them whether they mean base, cash (base + bonus), or total compensation including equity. Candidates who treat salary for goldman sachs analyst as a single number often misread offers.
How does level affect salary for goldman sachs analyst and what should you expect at each step
Salary for goldman sachs analyst changes dramatically with level. Knowing expected compensation by level helps set realistic targets and negotiation leverage:
Analyst (entry): $94.5K–$111K average total compensation.
Associate: $152K–$186K average total compensation.
Vice President: $210K–$254K average total compensation levels.fyi.
These averages reflect base, bonus, and equity combined. Moving from Analyst to Associate often means a roughly 30–40% increase in total compensation—so career progression discussions during early employment are as important as initial salary for goldman sachs analyst. If you’re interviewing for an Associate role but have Analyst-level experience, clarify expectations and responsibilities so you’re compared to the correct benchmark.
How does location and department change salary for goldman sachs analyst and what should you investigate
Salary for goldman sachs analyst varies by team and geography. Two major drivers:
Department/division: Structured Products, Investment Banking coverage teams, and specialized Quant tracks typically pay more. For example, employees in Structured Products report average total compensation around $219K, significantly above general analyst tracks wallstreetoasis.
Location: New York City and major financial centers command higher base and bonus bands than regional offices. Cost-of-living adjustments and local market demand create meaningful differences.
What to ask during screening/interviews:
“Is this role aligned with a specific division (e.g., Structured Products, Equities, Investment Banking)?”
“Is compensation referenced here base only, cash (base + bonus), or total including RSUs?”
“What city or office will I be assigned to and how does that affect the pay band?”
These questions help convert vague salary for goldman sachs analyst ranges into a targeted expectation.
When and how will interviewers discuss salary for goldman sachs analyst during the hiring process
Interviewers often avoid deep compensation discussion until the offer stage, but savvy candidates prepare and can surface compensation topics tactfully earlier. Typical moments:
Initial recruiter screen: recruiter may ask salary expectations or current compensation. Be prepared with a researched range for salary for goldman sachs analyst that separates base from total compensation.
Final interview / offer phase: the hiring manager or HR will present an offer and unpack total compensation components (base, bonus estimate, RSUs).
Negotiation window: this is when you can present data from verified sources and clarify role-level expectations.
How to respond to early salary questions:
If asked for expectations: give a band for base and a separate band for total compensation. Example: “I’m targeting a base in the $88K–95K range and total compensation around $100K–120K given bonuses and RSUs for this role and location.”
If asked your current salary: respond truthfully but re-anchor to market data rather than letting previous pay dictate your next package.
Backing up your ask with data makes it tougher for an offer to be labeled “non-negotiable.” Use sources like levels.fyi and company-specific salary reports to justify a target for salary for goldman sachs analyst.
How should you negotiate salary for goldman sachs analyst if an offer looks below market
If your offer for salary for goldman sachs analyst falls below the 25th percentile for your level and location, take action. Steps that work:
Research and prepare evidence
Collect 2–3 credible data points (for example, aggregated company salary pages and finance-focused salary sites) showing typical totals for the role. Sites such as levels.fyi and 6figr are useful here.
Separate components
Negotiate base, bonus, and RSUs independently. If base is constrained, request improved RSU or sign-on bonus.
Present a specific counteroffer
State a clear number or band and the rationale. Example: “Based on market data for this division and NYC location, I’m requesting a base of $95K and an RSU grant that brings total first-year compensation to $120K.”
Ask about cadence for promotion and raise benchmarks
If initial flexibility is limited, lock in a performance review with defined targets and timing.
Remember: many candidates forget to ask about equity vesting schedules. A three-year vesting with 33% annually is common and should be converted into a first-year value for comparison levels.fyi.
What common data discrepancies should you watch for when researching salary for goldman sachs analyst
There’s confusion in public data because general job boards and finance-specialized sources often report different figures. Common reasons:
Sample bias: general sites (e.g., Indeed) may aggregate a wider range of roles and report lower averages for “Analyst” in broader categories, yielding figures around ~$75K for some analyst listings Indeed.
Title ambiguity: “Analyst,” “Financial Analyst,” and duplicated labels (e.g., “Analyst Analyst”) can pull different data sets. Always confirm whether compensation quoted corresponds to the exact job family and level.
Division-specific premiums: structured product and quant roles often pay far above the firm’s median, skewing totals for certain reports wallstreetoasis.
How to reconcile discrepancies:
Prioritize finance-specific aggregators and company-level salary pages for salary for goldman sachs analyst.
Filter by level (entry Analyst vs Associate) and by location.
Ask recruiters to specify the exact role code or job family during your conversations.
What are practical interview questions to ask that clarify salary for goldman sachs analyst and total rewards
Use the interview stage to gather the compensation details you’ll need to negotiate effectively. Ask:
“Can you confirm whether the compensation band you mentioned is base only or total compensation”
“What is the expected bonus range for someone at this level and team”
“Will I receive RSUs, and if so what is the typical first-year grant and vesting schedule”
“How quickly do people typically move from Analyst to Associate on this team”
These questions show you’re compensation-aware and help avoid surprises after the offer.
How should you position your experience when discussing salary for goldman sachs analyst in interviews
Be explicit about comparable experience. The right positioning increases bargaining power:
Highlight relevant internships, deals, or technical skills that map to the role’s responsibilities.
If you have relevant certifications or domain expertise (e.g., financial modeling, programming for quant roles), explain how those skills enable you to contribute at a higher level than a typical entry analyst.
Avoid letting title alone determine the conversation—ask to be evaluated against concrete deliverables and benchmarks.
Framing examples:
“My last internship included three completed deal models and a client presentation; given that hands-on experience, I’d expect to be evaluated at the higher end of the analyst band for base and bonus.”
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with salary for goldman sachs analyst
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What is a quick salary for goldman sachs analyst comparison table I can use in interviews
Below is a compact summary you can reference when preparing talking points for interviews or counteroffers. Numbers are illustrative averages combining base, bonus, and first-year RSU realization where available.
Level | Typical total comp (avg) | Typical base (approx) | Typical bonus/RSU mix |
|---|---|---|---|
Analyst | $94.5K–$124K | ~$88K–$95K | Bonus $6.5K–$20K; RSUs vest ~33%/yr [6figr][levels.fyi] |
Associate | $152K–$186K | ~$115K–$135K | Larger bonuses and RSUs; promotion-based uplift [levels.fyi] |
Vice President | $210K–$254K | ~$160K–$190K | Significant bonus & equity component [levels.fyi][wallstreetoasis] |
Use this table to translate a vague recruiter band into a concrete expectation for salary for goldman sachs analyst.
How should you plan long term once you accept a salary for goldman sachs analyst offer
Accepting an analyst role is the start of a multi-year comp trajectory. Steps to maximize long-term compensation:
Clarify promotion timeline and expectations for Analyst → Associate, because moving up yields material gains (~37% or more) in total compensation.
Track RSU vesting and tax implications yearly.
Consider lateral moves between divisions where premiums exist (e.g., Structured Products) but weigh the skills and exit options.
Use annual reviews to reset compensation based on documented achievements.
Understanding the long-term impact of equity vesting schedules and promotion timing mitigates “salary shock” in future years.
What Are the Most Common Questions About salary for goldman sachs analyst
Q: What base pay should an entry analyst expect
A: Base often starts near $88K; adjust for NYC or specialized divisions
Q: When will bonuses be paid and how large are they
A: Bonuses vary; analysts often see $6K–$20K depending on performance
Q: How do RSUs affect first-year pay calculations
A: RSUs vest ~33%/yr; convert grant to first-year value when comparing offers
Q: Should I disclose my current salary in recruiter screens
A: Be honest if asked, but re-anchor to market data for salary for goldman sachs analyst
Q: Is title ambiguity common and how to avoid it
A: Yes; ask for job family and level to match comps accurately
Q: Where to find reliable salary for goldman sachs analyst benchmarks
A: Use finance-specific aggregators like levels.fyi and firm-level reports
Further reading and data sources
Aggregated company and role salaries at 6figr for Goldman Sachs analyst data: https://6figr.com/us/salary/goldman-sachs--analyst
Financial-focused compensation breakdowns and RSU details at Levels.fyi: https://www.levels.fyi/companies/goldman-sachs/salaries/financial-analyst
Division- and role-specific premiums reported on Wall Street Oasis: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/company/goldman-sachs/salary
General job-board perspective on analyst salaries at Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Goldman-Sachs/salaries/Analyst
Closing note
Salary for goldman sachs analyst is multi-faceted. Prepare by separating base, bonus, and equity; ask clarifying questions in interviews; use finance-specific data to justify your ask; and treat promotion timing as part of your compensation strategy. With targeted prep and the right questions, you’ll convert market data into a stronger offer and clearer career trajectory.
