Kearney Associate Salary & Career Path
Official: Kearney Careers ↗
A Kearney Associate earns $195,000–$267,000 in total compensation (2026) — $150,000–$180,000 base plus performance and signing bonuses. Figures are estimates from candidate-reported offers and public sources, not firm-published.
Base Salary
$150K–$180K
Bonus
$25K–$52K
Total Comp
$195K+
Promo Time
2-3 years
What Does a Kearney Associate Do?
Post-MBA entry point. Associates lead workstreams, manage junior team members, and have significant client interaction. They drive analysis and develop recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead workstreams and mentor analysts
- Develop strategic recommendations
- Manage client relationships at working level
- Present to mid-level client stakeholders
- Drive day-to-day project execution
Kearney Associate Compensation (2026)
US figures anchored to NYC, May 2026. Compensation varies significantly by office; we haven't source-verified non-US figures yet, so expect regional variation (e.g. London, Dubai, Mumbai).
| Component | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $150,000 | $165,000 | $180,000 |
| Signing Bonus | $20,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Performance Bonus | $25,000 | $38,000 | $52,000 |
| Total Compensation | $195,000 | $228,000 | $267,000 |
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Career Progression at Kearney
Work-Life Balance
These figures describe the Kearney consulting track generally, not the Associate level specifically — hours and travel shift materially with seniority (and with office, practice, project type, and individual workload). They're estimates from candidate surveys and Glassdoor, not firm-published figures.
Exit Opportunities
Exit typically after 3-5 years. 15-35% for operations roles.
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Related Career Paths
Methodology. US figures anchored to NYC, May 2026. Compensation varies significantly by office; we haven't source-verified non-US figures yet, so expect regional variation (e.g. London, Dubai, Mumbai). Numbers represent reported ranges, not guaranteed offers. Bonuses depend on individual and firm performance.
Sources. Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Management Consulted, IGotAnOffer, plus public job postings on each firm's careers site. Last verified May 2026.