Which Big 3 consulting pays the most?

Asked by: Mrs. Kelsi Beahan III  |  Last update: August 28, 2025
Score: 5/5 (56 votes)

  • McKinsey & Company is the last, and highest paying Big 3 MBB consulting firm on this list. ...
  • Alvarez & Marsal is the top paying consulting firm in America, best known for its capital restructuring team that consistently lands some of the largest bankruptcy consulting deals year after year.

Which of the big 3 is the best consulting?

They are considered to be the most prestigious firms in the management consulting industry. In terms of employees, McKinsey & Company is the largest and leads by revenue. McKinsey is followed by Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company, respectively.

Which type of consulting pays the most?

Top 15 highest-paying consulting jobs
  1. Marketing consultant. ...
  2. Associate consultant. ...
  3. HR consultant. ...
  4. Technology consultant. ...
  5. Investment consultant. ...
  6. Sales consultant. ...
  7. Environmental consultant. ...
  8. Software consultant.

Does McKinsey pay better than BCG?

Generally, McKinsey might edge out slightly higher salaries, particularly at the entry and mid-career levels, consistent with its prestige and rigorous demands. While also offering robust salaries, BCG often focuses more on comprehensive benefits and work-life balance enhancements.

Does Bain pay more than McKinsey?

Bain's MBA salary matches McKinsey and ups BCG at the base level: $192,000. But Bain offers a much higher performance bonus than either firm - up to $63,000.

The MOST Lucrative Jobs after Management Consulting

22 related questions found

Should I join McKinsey or Bain?

If your education and/or work experience is “outside the norm,” McKinsey is more likely to consider you than BCG or Bain. BCG operates in a similar manner, hiring people into practices a lot earlier than Bain – who waits until consultants have reached Partner or Sr. Partner level before assigning a specialization.

Which Big 4 is most prestigious?

PwC and Deloitte are the most prestigious

PwC and Deloitte will cost more, EY somewhere in the middle, and KPMG will sometimes even take a hit on their margin in order to get the project (so they can use that to build better relationships with the client).

Why is McKinsey so prestigious?

Wide-Ranging Expertise. McKinsey's size allows it to offer clients unparalleled expertise in virtually every industry and function, making it a truly comprehensive consulting firm.

How much does a partner at McKinsey make?

Total salary range for McKinsey & Company Partner

The estimated total pay range for a Partner at McKinsey & Company is $441K–$712K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Partner base salary at McKinsey & Company is $320K per year.

How many hours do you work at Bain?

Given the workload and performance expectations of this position, consultants are regularly required to work more than 50 hours/week to perform essential duties of the job.

Which consulting firm is the hardest to get into?

McKinsey's recruiting process is one of the most competitive in the world. The firm typically hires candidates with Ivy League backgrounds and/or prestigious work histories. McKinsey is also known for pioneering the recruitment of advanced professionals with non-business degrees to its consulting teams.

Who is the highest-paying consulting firm?

Below is a summary of the top 10 consulting firms by US entry-level analyst pay in 2023:
  • Investor Group Services (IGS)
  • Bain & Company.
  • Avencore.
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
  • Oliver Wyman.
  • Accenture Strategy.
  • McKinsey & Company.
  • Alvarez & Marsal.

Can you make millions in consulting?

Of course! Many successful entrepreneurs have been able to work as a consultant and grow their business to a million-dollar enterprise. It takes hard work, determination and some help along the way, but it's certainly possible.

Is BCG more prestigious than Bain?

Prestige and brand name: McKinsey, BCG, and Bain all have the highest level of prestige in the management consulting industry. They each have a long history of being at the top and that is likely not going to change any time soon. There is no question that these three firms are the three top consulting firms.

What is the acceptance rate for BCG?

Less than 1-2% of applicants receive a BCG internship. If you're thinking about applying for a BCG internship and want to maximize your chances of getting in, then this article is for you. I'm a former MBB Manager and interviewer and in this article, I'll explain: What is a BCG internship?

What is a typical McKinsey salary?

McKinsey's salary for entry-level consultants in the United States likely ranges from $100,000 to $140,000 per year, while the figure for MBA-level/experienced Associates can be over $200,000. Engagement managers typically earn around $300,000-400,000, while Partners-level can earn up to $1,000,000.

How much does a Goldman Sachs Partner make?

The estimated total pay range for a Partner at Goldman Sachs is $414K–$702K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay.

How much do Bain expert partners make?

The average Bain Partner Salary is in the neighborhood of $350,000 per year! However, top partners can make $1M+ or more – comp at this level is variable, with the biggest factor being the amount of work you sell.

What GPA does McKinsey want?

McKinsey, Bain, and BCG don't have a strict GPA cutoff, but they do typically consider anything from 3.6 up as a strong GPA.

How hard is it to get hired at McKinsey?

Depending on your academic background and set of experiences, passing the resume and cover letter screen may be the hardest round for you. McKinsey is extremely selective during this phase due to the large number of applicants (over 200,000 each year). Read on for the steps to take in order to get past Round 1.

Is it stressful to work in McKinsey?

The Work is Stressful

Working for McKinsey is not for the weak of heart. The Firm places an incredible amount of responsibility on every consultant, regardless of level. Get ready to be pushed to your limits and expected to perform.

Which Big 4 pays the highest?

Which big 4 accounting firm pays the most? Well it depends on which practice you want to go into. If you want to make the most money in consulting, Deloitte pays the best. However if you want to make the most money in auditing or tax PwC is likely your best bet.

What GPA do the Big 4 want?

We would, however, say that the minimum GPA required is 3.0. But if you find that yours is a bit lower than that, just work on your GPA for grad school, gain work experience, or take on leadership roles during your academic career. These are called compensating factors.

Which Big 4 has the best culture?

KPMG Work Culture

Though the smallest of the Big 4 firms, KPMG is known to have the best work-life balance amongst its employees. The company places an emphasis on employee engagement and has the lowest churn rate of the Big 4.