Operating Expenses

Compensation and benefits

Goldman Sachs Group Compensation and benefits increased by 16.0% to $5.41B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 11.0%, from $4.88B to $5.41B. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Compensation and benefits shows relatively stable performance with a 1.6% CAGR. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ4 2014
Last reportedQ4 2025

How to read this metric

An increase often reflects headcount growth or higher performance-based incentives, while a decrease may indicate efficiency initiatives or workforce reductions.

Detailed definition

Includes all salaries, wages, bonuses, stock-based compensation, and employee benefit costs for the workforce. This is t...

Peer comparison

Highly comparable across all sectors; usually found under 'Personnel' or 'Staffing' expenses.

Metric ID: compensation_and_benefits

Historical Data

20 periods
 Q2 '21Q3 '21Q4 '21Q1 '22Q2 '22Q3 '22Q4 '22Q1 '23Q2 '23Q3 '23Q4 '23Q1 '24Q2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
Value$5.26B$3.17B$3.25B$4.08B$3.70B$3.61B$3.76B$4.09B$3.62B$4.19B$3.60B$4.59B$4.24B$4.12B$3.76B$4.88B$4.69B$4.68B$4.67B$5.41B
QoQ Change-39.8%+2.5%+25.8%-9.5%-2.4%+4.4%+8.7%-11.5%+15.7%-14.0%+27.3%-7.5%-2.8%-8.8%+29.7%-3.9%-0.1%-0.3%+16.0%
YoY Change-29.8%+13.9%+16.0%+0.2%-2.1%+16.1%-4.3%+12.1%+17.2%-1.6%+4.4%+6.3%+10.5%+13.5%+24.1%+11.0%
Range$3.17B$5.41B
CAGR+0.6%
Avg YoY Growth+6.7%
Median YoY Growth+10.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Goldman Sachs Group's compensation and benefits?
Goldman Sachs Group (GS) reported compensation and benefits of $5.41B in Q1 2026.
How has Goldman Sachs Group's compensation and benefits changed year-over-year?
Goldman Sachs Group's compensation and benefits increased by 11.0% year-over-year, from $4.88B to $5.41B.
What is the long-term trend for Goldman Sachs Group's compensation and benefits?
Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Goldman Sachs Group's compensation and benefits has grown at a 1.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $17.72B to $18.91B.
What does compensation and benefits mean?
The total cost of employee salaries, bonuses, and benefits.