Who is the highest paid Goldman employee?
Asked by: Reggie Boyle | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 5/5 (27 votes)
The highest-paid Goldman Sachs employee varies by year and reporting, but CEO David Solomon and President John Waldron consistently rank at the top, with David Solomon often earning slightly more, though sometimes a top trader like Ed Emerson has surpassed them in specific periods, making over $100 million in three years compared to Solomon's $77.5 million, highlighting that top traders can sometimes out-earn the CEO.
Who is the highest paid employee at Goldman Sachs?
Goldman Sachs' highest-paid employees are typically top executives like CEO David Solomon, who earned $39 million in 2024 with a base, bonus, stock, and new carried interest, plus an $80M retention bonus; President John Waldron, also receiving retention bonuses and significant pay; and other senior figures like former Commodities Head Ed Emerson, who earned over $100M in three years prior to his 2023 departure. Managing Directors in investment banking, especially in areas like trading, also command very high compensation, often exceeding $1 million total.
What is the highest salary in Goldman Sachs?
Goldman Sachs Salary FAQs
Among the roles with sufficient data, Managing Partner is the highest paying role typically earning ₹3.2 Crores to ₹4.7 Crores per year.
What is a VP salary at Goldman Sachs?
A Goldman Sachs VP's total compensation varies significantly by role and location, but generally ranges from $180,000 to over $400,000 annually, including base salary, stock, and bonuses, with NYC often seeing higher figures and tech roles having substantial total packages. For instance, total compensation in NYC averages around $188k median, while tech VPs can see total compensation (TC) exceeding $250k-$300k with bonuses and stock.
Is it harder to get into JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs?
It's incredibly difficult to get into both JPMorgan (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS) for investment banking roles, with acceptance rates often below 1%, but recent data suggests JPMorgan might be statistically slightly harder to get into due to a higher volume of applicants relative to spots in their summer internships, though both are extremely competitive and demand top-tier qualifications and networking.
Jim Simons: $40,000 Is Enough To Escape The Paycheck Trap (IMPORTANT)
What is the Goldman 15 minute rule?
The Goldman Sachs 15-minute rule is an intense, informal expectation for near-instantaneous email and communication responses (within 15 minutes, 24/7) to manage client expectations and demonstrate commitment, though it's often viewed as demanding and potentially toxic, requiring acknowledgement even if a full response isn't ready. It's part of a broader culture of extreme responsiveness in high-stakes finance, emphasizing immediate action over prolonged delays, even in personal situations like being in the shower or at a family event.
Which is more prestigious, Goldman Sachs or JPMorgan?
While both are elite, Goldman Sachs generally holds a slight edge in investment banking prestige due to its smaller, more exclusive reputation and focus on high-stakes advisory, while JPMorgan is a powerhouse often ranked slightly below Goldman in investment banking but recognized for its broader strength, better work-life balance, and strong performance in other areas like commercial banking and overall "best bank to work for" rankings. For pure investment banking or private equity aspirations, Goldman often leads, but JPM offers comparable training and a slightly different culture.
How much does the average person make at Goldman Sachs?
Dre-tier coastal patriotism, however: whereas Goldman's front office analysts earn at least $80k in New York, their salaries start at just $65k in California. Luckily, the salary ceiling is the same - as are the pay bands for associates, who earn between $130k and $175k in both locales.
How hard is it to become a VP at Goldman Sachs?
If you want to become a VP in Goldman Sachs' investment banking division, you'll typically have to climb the hierarchy and progress through the analyst and associate levels before you make it. If you're an engineer or a quant, it might be a bit quicker.
What is the highest position at Goldman Sachs?
The highest position at Goldman Sachs is held by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, currently David Solomon. Above even the CEO is the firm's elite, exclusive rank of Partner, representing the top echelon of leadership, with Solomon also holding the Chairman title, overseeing the entire firm.
Which university does Goldman Sachs hire from the most?
🚨BREAKING: University of St. Gallen, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and HEC Paris lead the Top 10 Target Universities for Goldman Sachs for 2025. ✅ Follow Commence to stay updated on the latest in Higher Education.
Who is the youngest MD at Goldman Sachs?
The youngest Managing Director (MD) at Goldman Sachs in their 2025 promotion class is Paulo Costa, a 29-year-old trader leading dividend trading in London for the firm's synthetic products group in EMEA, making him the youngest in history as of late 2025. Costa's promotion followed a strong performance in equities and came after joining Goldman Sachs in 2016 as a Summer Analyst, rising quickly through the ranks in a significant promotion cycle for the bank.
Is Goldman Sachs harder than Harvard?
Yes, securing a job or internship at Goldman Sachs is statistically harder than getting into Harvard University, with recent Goldman Sachs acceptance rates for new graduate roles and internships often falling below 1%, significantly lower than Harvard's acceptance rates (around 3-4%). This reflects extreme selectivity, as tens of thousands apply for a small number of spots, requiring exceptional academics, grit, and drive, even for Harvard graduates.
How senior is a VP at Goldman Sachs?
VP is not a senior role. It's a level above associate. About equal to Assistant Manager.
Who is the longest serving employee at Goldman Sachs?
Alfred Feld, Goldman's Longest-Serving Employee, Dies at 98.
What is the Goldman Sachs 15 minute rule?
The Goldman Sachs 15-minute rule is an intense, informal expectation for near-instantaneous email and communication responses (within 15 minutes, 24/7) to manage client expectations and demonstrate commitment, though it's often viewed as demanding and potentially toxic, requiring acknowledgement even if a full response isn't ready. It's part of a broader culture of extreme responsiveness in high-stakes finance, emphasizing immediate action over prolonged delays, even in personal situations like being in the shower or at a family event.
What is the hardest bank to get a job at?
The hardest banks to get jobs at are generally top-tier investment banks like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America (BofA), and Citi, known for extremely low acceptance rates (sometimes under 1% for internships) due to massive applicant pools, intense competition for prestigious front-office roles, and demanding technical interviews, with some independent boutiques like Centerview, PJT Partners, and Moelis & Company also being exceptionally tough.
Is working at Goldman prestigious?
Work environment & culture — Goldman Sachs offers a prestigious brand and a strong learning environment, but it comes with a high-pressure atmosphere. Expect long hours and a hierarchical culture that can feel impersonal and competitive.
How hard is it to get a job at Goldman?
Getting a job at Goldman Sachs is notoriously difficult due to extremely low acceptance rates (often under 1%) and massive applicant pools, requiring exceptional academics (3.5+ GPA), strong technical finance knowledge, relevant internship experience, networking, and demonstrating unique "quirks" or personality traits to stand out in a highly competitive process focused on talent and potential, not just stats.
Which college does Goldman Sachs hire from most?
Goldman Sachs recruits from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Columbia, MIT, and NYU (Stern). While these schools are common sources, the firm also hires from other prestigious institutions.
Who is Goldman Sachs' biggest rival?
The main competitors of Goldman Sachs include top-tier investment banks such as J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citi, and Deutsche Bank.
What is the most prestigious bank to work for?
Goldman Sachs is widely known as the most prestigious investment bank on Wall Street. The bank's interns receive phenomenal training, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to rotate across many groups and desks.