Consulting Salary Calculator
Select firms, career level, and office location to see a detailed compensation breakdown. Compare total comp across MBB, Big 4, and boutique strategy firms.
McKinsey & Company
Associate
Boston Consulting Group
Consultant
| Firm | Title | Base | Signing | Perf. Bonus | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McKinsey & Company | Associate | $192,000 | $35,000 | $48,000 | $285,000 |
| Boston Consulting Group | Consultant | $190,000 | $30,000 | $45,000 | $273,000 |
Disclaimer: Compensation estimates are based on publicly available 2025–2026 data from industry reports, Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and alumni surveys. Actual compensation varies by individual performance, office, practice area, and negotiation. Signing bonuses are typically one-time payments in Year 1. Location adjustments are approximate and reflect cost-of-living differences — actual pay scales may differ. Non-USD figures are converted at approximate purchasing-power parity rather than spot exchange rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do McKinsey consultants earn in 2026?
McKinsey Business Analysts (undergrad entry) earn approximately $112,000 base salary with a $15,000 signing bonus and up to $22,000 performance bonus — roughly $149,000 in Year 1 total compensation. Post-MBA Associates start at around $192,000 base with $35,000 signing and $48,000 performance bonus, totaling roughly $275,000 in Year 1.
How do MBB salaries compare to Big 4 consulting salaries?
MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) pay approximately 15-25% more than Big 4 strategy practices at the post-MBA level. At entry level, the gap is smaller (~15-20%). At Partner level, MBB compensation can be 40-60% higher due to larger profit-sharing pools.
Do consulting salaries vary by office location?
Yes. US offices (particularly NYC and San Francisco) typically offer the highest USD-denominated salaries. Dubai offices often pay a premium with no income tax. European offices pay roughly 10-20% less in USD terms but offer benefits like longer vacation and stronger labor protections. Singapore and Asian offices are typically 10-15% below US levels.
What is the highest-paying consulting firm?
McKinsey & Company consistently offers the highest total compensation among consulting firms at most levels, though BCG and Bain are within 2-5% at entry and post-MBA levels. At the Partner level, McKinsey's profit-sharing model typically yields the highest payouts, with Senior Partners earning $2M+ annually.
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