Competition for private equity investment talent rose to a new high after the buyout industry set records last year for deals and exits, a report by executive-recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles showed.

While buyout firms are now experiencing a slowdown in deal making and raising money, industry pay has remained strong. Of the 939 private equity investment professionals who participated in the survey, 65% reported that their base pay rose this year compared with last year, according to the report.