BCG SA Salary

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently received an offer to join BCG’s Dubai office as a Senior Associate. I have 3 years of consulting experience, based in Europe.

I’m trying to get a clearer understanding of the expected compensation—specifically, the base salary and annual location allowance in AED. I checked Glassdoor, but the ranges there are quite broad, so I’d appreciate any insights from those with recent or direct experience.

Also, I read that in the past MBBs were offering 2 round way flights per year to your country of residence, but that is not mentioned in my offer letter.

Finally, is renegotiating the base salary or location allowance commonly accepted, or is it generally discouraged by HR?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

You won't be able to renegotiate base salary. You may be able to negotiate sign in bonus or a relocation package. Negotiating those round way flights might be possible as well, but less likely.

Answer 2

Hey there :)

Congrats on the BCG Dubai offer! For a Senior Associate with around 3 years of prior consulting experience, typical total compensation ranges between 500,000–600,000 AED per year. The base salary is usually around 400,000–450,000 AED, with a location allowance often between 60,000–100,000 AED depending on profile and negotiation. Regarding flights home, it’s true that MBBs used to offer two round trips per year, but this benefit is no longer standard and often not included unless explicitly negotiated.

As for renegotiating, it’s not unheard of but should be done carefully—especially in Dubai. If you have a strong case (like another offer or a clear market mismatch), you can raise it politely with the recruiter, but it’s generally handled with caution.

Best,
Alessa :)

Answer 3

I can't comment specifically on the BCG Sr. Associate salary... you might be better off waiting to see your offer letter. Renegotiating salary or benefits at the Associate level seems pretty unlikely to me though, given that you're on a very structured comp track until you hit the Principal / Partner stage

Answer 4

Hello, not related but may I ask for your experience, did you apply to Associate or Consultant but got offer as SA or did you apply directly to the SA position?
I’m considering the SA position but I don’t think they have a job posting for that position.
Thank you,

Answer 5

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offer! Regarding your questions:

1) I’m trying to get a clearer understanding of the expected compensation

You can find some information below (please note that it refers to data from a few years ago).

▶ Top Consulting Salaries in the Middle East

2) Is renegotiating the base salary or location allowance commonly accepted, or is it generally discouraged by HR?

Normally the base salary for a given position is fixed for everyone. What you can usually negotiate is:

The signing bonus
The relocation bonus
The seniority you join

The easiest way to negotiate is to have an “opportunity cost”, ideally due to another offer (or, in the case of relocation, to actual costs present).

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 6

Hi there,

This honestly varies significantly from region to region, and is often more regional than firm-specific.

Your best bet is to find people who are from that office and get a sense from them as to which components of the compensation are negotiable. You could try to get in touch with them via LinkedIn.

Typically, base salary is not negotiable because it's set based on role. Bonus then rather depends on firm and personal performance. So it's rather the relocation and signing bonus that are negotiable. But once again, this differs from place to place.

Best,
Cristian