Consulting Salary & Career Paths (2026)

Comprehensive guide to consulting compensation and career progression at top firms. Compare salaries from Business Analyst to Partner across MBB, Big 4, and boutique firms.

Entry-Level (BA/AC)

$125K-$195K

MBB Total Comp

Post-MBA

$220K-$330K

Associate Total Comp

Engagement Manager

$280K-$415K

Mid-Career Peak

Partner

$640K-$1.5M+

Equity Compensation

MBB Salary Comparison

Role	McKinsey	BCG	Bain
Business Analyst	$167,000$140,000 - $195,000	$157,000$135,000 - $180,000	$157,000$135,000 - $178,000
Associate	$277,000$240,000 - $330,000	$272,000$240,000 - $310,000	$267,000$235,000 - $305,000
Engagement Manager	$350,000$300,000 - $415,000	$335,000$290,000 - $400,000	$325,000$280,000 - $390,000
Partner	$1,000,000$700,000 - $1,500,000	$950,000$660,000 - $1,420,000	$910,000$640,000 - $1,380,000

Click any cell to view detailed compensation breakdown. All figures are 2026 US estimates.

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Consulting Career Ladder

Leadership

10-20+ years experience

Partner Senior Partner Managing Director

Senior

5-12 years experience

Engagement Manager Principal / Associate Principal

Post-MBA

3-8 years experience

Summer Associate (MBA)Associate Senior Associate

Entry Level

0-2 years experience

Business Analyst Summer Intern (Undergraduate)

Browse by Firm

McKinsey & Company

Entry Level:$167,000

Partner:$1,000,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all McKinsey roles

Boston Consulting Group

Entry Level:$157,000

Partner:$950,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all BCG roles

Bain & Company

Entry Level:$157,000

Partner:$910,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all Bain roles

Deloitte Strategy & Operations

Entry Level:$125,000

Partner:$750,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all Deloitte S&O roles

EY-Parthenon

Entry Level:$132,000

Partner:$800,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all EY-Parthenon roles

Oliver Wyman

Entry Level:$140,000

Partner:$860,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all Oliver Wyman roles

Kearney

Entry Level:$130,000

Partner:$770,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all Kearney roles

L.E.K. Consulting

Entry Level:$124,000

Partner:$735,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all LEK roles

Roland Berger

Entry Level:$114,000

Partner:$675,000

Business Analyst Associate Partner

View all Roland Berger roles

Browse by Role

Business Analyst

0-2 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Summer Intern (Undergraduate)

0 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Summer Associate (MBA)

3-7 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Associate

3-7 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Senior Associate

5-8 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Engagement Manager

5-9 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Principal / Associate Principal

7-12 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Partner

10-15 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Senior Partner

15-20 years experience

McK BCG BAIN

Managing Director

20+ years experience

McK BCG BAIN

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Consulting Salary & Career Paths (2026)

Comprehensive guide to consulting compensation and career progression at top firms. Compare salaries from Business Analyst to Partner across MBB, Big 4, and boutique firms.

Entry-Level (BA/AC)

$125K-$195K

MBB Total Comp

Post-MBA

$220K-$330K

Associate Total Comp

Engagement Manager

$280K-$415K

Mid-Career Peak

Partner

$640K-$1.5M+

Equity Compensation

MBB Salary Comparison

Role	McKinsey	BCG	Bain
Business Analyst	$167,000$140,000 - $195,000	$157,000$135,000 - $180,000	$157,000$135,000 - $178,000
Associate	$277,000$240,000 - $330,000	$272,000$240,000 - $310,000	$267,000$235,000 - $305,000
Engagement Manager	$350,000$300,000 - $415,000	$335,000$290,000 - $400,000	$325,000$280,000 - $390,000
Partner	$1,000,000$700,000 - $1,500,000	$950,000$660,000 - $1,420,000	$910,000$640,000 - $1,380,000