In 2023, 98% of Dauphine graduates find a job in less than three months, with a median salary of €46,000 gross per year excluding bonuses. Some sectors, such as corporate finance and M&A, show salary gaps of over 30% depending on the specializations. The pressure on the recruitment market, combined with international competition, is pushing some banks to enhance their packages starting from the end-of-studies internship. Disparities persist between schools, despite an overall increase in salaries for young graduates in the finance sector.
Starting Salaries from Dauphine and Top Schools: Where Does Finance Stand in 2024?
In the landscape of employment after top schools, salary disparities increase according to specialization. In Paris, finance remains the promised land. If we focus on salaries upon graduating from Dauphine, one reality stands out: the median salary reaches €46,000 gross, excluding bonuses, from the very first position. This figure is not just a number; it reflects the dynamics of a pressured sector, where the needs of financial institutions clash with international competition to attract the sharpest profiles.
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The latest surveys confirm: choosing a finance specialty at Dauphine ensures a salary 20 to 30% higher compared to other fields. This phenomenon can be explained by the international exposure of finance and the competition among global financial hubs that makes it difficult to poach expert profiles. Dauphine, with its strong reputation in France and beyond, acts as a true label and attracts the trust of employers.
Investment banking, asset management, financial analysis… Here, starting packages rise quickly. For young graduates, this often means a significant variable component from the first year, and rapid progression. The competition among recruiters pushes salary scales upward, consolidating Dauphine’s position among the most sought-after schools in the market, especially in finance-related professions.
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Internships, M&A, Consulting: What Salary Levels to Expect Based on Career Paths?
The initial choices of paths at Dauphine make all the difference on the paycheck. End-of-studies internships serve as a strategic springboard, and disparities are notable depending on the targeted specialty.
The following trends can be clearly distinguished according to the fields:
- In mergers and acquisitions, it is difficult to secure a first hire below €50,000 to €55,000 gross per year excluding bonuses. The sector values rigor and technique, and this is immediately reflected in the pay slips.
- For strategy consulting, annual packages range between €45,000 and €50,000 gross, supplemented by bonuses that can represent a significant portion, and sometimes benefits like meal vouchers or profit-sharing.
- An internship in a consulting firm typically negotiates between €1,800 and €2,200 per month. This experience then accelerates the assumption of responsibilities in a permanent contract, with salary progressions often being rapid in the first two years.
In Paris, a long internship in investment banking or M&A can easily exceed €2,000 per month including bonuses. For graduates in finance and management, the experience gained often makes the difference during hiring. In particular, a specialization in financial analysis or M&A is recognized as a career accelerator.
For those leaning towards actuarial science or trading, the entry-level salary remains similar to that of market finance. Disparities exist depending on the integration sector, whether banking, insurance, or asset management, and location. Moving to London or New York increases the stakes, but the Paris market remains attractive for young graduates from Dauphine.
What Levers to Boost Your Salary in Finance Right After School?
Entering finance after Dauphine opens up multiple scenarios. But to accelerate progression from the first positions, certain levers really make a difference.
Doing a work-study program or focusing on a long internship in a major firm or an M&A team significantly increases the weight of one’s profile during negotiations: those who graduate with tangible experiences validated in a demanding environment see their first salary rise faster. Managers seek graduates who have already faced real-world challenges and can adapt to pressure, whether in Paris or abroad.
Mastering financial English, thriving in multicultural environments: these assets are sought after and already identified in young people who have spent time abroad or obtained a dual degree. A mission in M&A or consulting in London or Frankfurt, for example, can raise the entry salary by 10 to 20% compared to an experience that stayed in France.
To quickly maximize attractiveness in the market, two elements are essential:
- Value every certification (CFA, AMF), proof of technical expertise that stands out from the recruitment stage.
- Have a clear specialization, such as actuarial science, financial data science, credit analysis… The market values expertise and a clear professional identity.
The ability to master analytical tools, understand market logic, and take a step back on business issues proves decisive. It is the concrete experiences gained from the first internships that shape the trajectory. Leaving the Dauphine campus means crossing the threshold into a sector where boldness, rigor, and the choice of early experiences make a difference. Far from a mere promise, it is a launchpad for a career where every decision carries weight, right from the start.