Salary progression at Barclays IBD in London?

Question

Hey,
does anyone know how pay evolves at Barclays once you're promoted from analyst to associate? Curious how competitive they are, especially compared to U.S. BBs in London like GS or MS.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hey! 😊

From what I’ve seen and heard from people in the industry, here’s how salary progression typically looks like at Barclays IBD in London:

Analyst (Years 1–3): Base salary is usually around £60–70k, with a bonus that varies a lot depending on performance, maybe 20–30% in year one, increasing over time.
Associate (Post-promotion): Base jumps to around £100–120k, and bonuses can range anywhere from 50% to 100%, depending on the year and your performance.

Compared to US bulge brackets like GS or MS, Barclays tends to be slightly below in total comp especially on the bonus side. The gap isn’t massive, and a lot depends on the specific group and how well the bank is doing that year.

Also, Barclays tends to have a bit more of a “European” culture... so slightly better work-life balance than what you might find at the big US firms (though of course, it's still banking 😅).

Hope this gives you a clearer picture!

Answer 2

Yes, it’s definitely possible! Your ACA and audit experience give you a strong foundation. To make the switch, focus... (read entire answer)

Yes, it’s definitely possible! Your ACA and audit experience give you a strong foundation. To make the switch, focus on networking (especially within your firm if they have a co... (read entire answer)