Elite boutique analyst programs, ranked
Elite boutiques are advisory-only firms that pay the most and hire the fewest: Evercore, Lazard and PJT Partners post a $120,000 first-year base, Centerview files $130,000, and Moelis posts $110,000, with top-bucket first-year all-in at $180k–$195k (Evercore up to about $250k by some estimates). Classes are small and mostly generalist — PJT sizes its intern class to anticipated full-time headcount — and the recruiting calendar is the earliest in banking: Evercore’s summer 2028 window is open until November 15, 2026, Moelis Houston until December 14, and Centerview takes resumes year-round. Three of the five require an assessment or cap applications: PJT and Moelis use Suited, Evercore allows two applications.
5 of 12 ranked programs match · Last verified October 10, 2026 · See the full IB List →
Analysts work in small teams alongside partners on M&A, shareholder advisory, restructuring, capital markets and private capital mandates, doing financial modeling, industry analysis, diligence and client-meeting prep. Evercore pitches faster advancement and more responsibility than a bulge bracket and describes an apprenticeship model. Hiring is group by group, so you choose your coverage group and office at application.
Salary band, hiring status & score breakdown — see the full Evercore IB page →Evercore interview guide →
Centerview recruits summer interns from college juniors and full-time analysts after graduation, formally on some campuses and informally from a broad range of schools, with no finance background required. New analysts get initial training in practical finance, then join deal teams on the firm’s mega-cap M&A mandates. The firm says it invests extra resources to keep analysts longer than a typical two-year stint.
Salary band, hiring status & score breakdown — see the full Centerview Partners IB page →Centerview Partners interview guide →
PJT hires summer and full-time analysts into Strategic Advisory, Restructuring & Special Situations (RSSG), Park Hill (private fund advisory) and PJT Camberview (shareholder advisory). Summer programs are generalist, with early responsibility on live pitches and transactions and several assignments at once. The firm requires the Suited assessment and says it is not weighted above other factors.
Salary band, hiring status & score breakdown — see the full PJT Partners IB page →PJT Partners interview guide →
Moelis summer analysts join as generalists, working on financial analysis and modeling, company and industry research, and client presentations alongside senior bankers. A one-week training program on modeling and valuation opens the 10-week internship, and the full-time class is drawn largely from it. Moelis also posts specialist analyst seats and requires the Suited assessment from every applicant.
Salary band, hiring status & score breakdown — see the full Moelis & Company IB page →Moelis & Company interview guide →
Lazard analysts build financial models, research companies and industries, and prepare client presentations on M&A, restructuring, capital markets and private capital advisory mandates, working on small deal teams with senior bankers. The NY summer program is generalist and rotational, with formal training, mentorship and exposure to the leadership team, while Restructuring and other specialized groups can be applied to directly. Summer analysts are the main feeder into the full-time class.
Salary band, hiring status & score breakdown — see the full Lazard IB page →Lazard interview guide →
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