Dreaming of a career in management consulting in the United Kingdom but unsure which firm is the best fit for you – or how much you can actually earn as a graduate?
Then you’ve come to the right place! This article gives you a complete overview of consulting salaries in the UK, from entry-level analyst pay to compensation packages at top firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Deloitte. With this information, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision about which consulting career path suits your goals best.
Entry-level salaries in management consulting in the United Kingdom are among the most attractive for graduates, so it’s no surprise that many students aspire to start their careers in consulting. Before you celebrate your first offer, it’s worth taking a closer look at how compensation is structured. Consulting salaries typically consist of several fixed and variable components, which can vary significantly depending on the firm and your performance.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the key elements that make up your total consulting salary and what you should pay attention to when starting your career.
The base salary is your fixed and reliable monthly payment. It forms the foundation of your income and varies depending on the firm’s size and brand reputation. Well-known consultancies such as Roland Berger, Deloitte, or Kearney usually offer higher starting salaries than smaller or boutique firms.
The performance bonus is a variable part of your compensation that can significantly increase your total pay. The amount typically depends on factors such as:
Bonuses are usually paid quarterly or annually and are designed to reward high performance and motivate long-term success. Keep this in mind when evaluating your total compensation package.
Many consulting firms in the UK offer a signing bonus, a one-time payment at the start of your employment. It serves as an incentive to accept an offer and join a particular firm.
While base salaries are often less negotiable, you can sometimes negotiate the signing bonus, especially if you have multiple offers. Be sure to check for repayment clauses, as some firms may reclaim the bonus in full or in part if you leave the company early.
If you need to move for your new role, many consultancies provide a relocation bonus, sometimes even for interns. The amount depends on the distance of your move and whether you’re relocating internationally. If a relocation bonus isn’t included, you may be able to negotiate a higher signing bonus instead.
In addition to salary, consulting firms often provide a range of employee benefits, such as:
These benefits can have a major impact on your overall satisfaction and well-being, so make sure to consider them as part of your total compensation package.
Your total compensation in management consulting depends on several key factors that shape how much you can earn throughout your career.
Entry-level consulting salaries in the United Kingdom vary significantly depending on the firm. The top strategy consultancies McKinsey, BCG, and Bain (MBB), as well as the Big Four – Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and EY – are particularly well known for offering competitive pay packages and fast promotion opportunities.
Alongside these leading firms, there are also Tier-2 and boutique consultancies that specialise in specific industries or topics. These firms often offer attractive career paths and competitive salaries, making it worth comparing options to find the company that best matches your personal goals and priorities.
The MBB firms are the most prestigious consulting employers in the UK, renowned for their high-calibre strategic work and exceptional compensation. Below is an overview of starting salaries for graduates with a Master’s degree at MBB in the United Kingdom:
| Firm | Base Salary | Performance Bonus | Total Compensation |
| McKinsey | £50,000 | up to £8,000 | up to £60,000 |
| Bain | £52,000 | up to £11,000 | up to £63,000 |
| BCG | £49,500 | up to £7,000 | up to £60,000 |
Among these firms, Bain offers the highest overall pay package for new graduates in the UK. With a base salary of around £52,000 and potential bonuses of up to £11,000, the total compensation can reach £63,000, slightly ahead of McKinsey and BCG, which both sit around £60,000.
For MBA and PhD graduates, the MBB firms offer some of the most attractive compensation packages in the UK consulting industry. They recognise the value of advanced degrees and reward them with higher pay and faster career progression.
| Firm | Base Salary | Performance Bonus | Total Compensation |
| McKinsey | £90,000 | up to £15,000 | up to £105,000 |
| BCG | £93,000 | up to £17,000 | up to £110,000 |
| Bain | £97,000 | up to £20,000 | up to £117,000 |
Here again, Bain leads slightly, offering a base salary of about £97,000 and total compensation of up to £117,000, surpassing both McKinsey and BCG.
👉 Learn more about salaries at MBB.
The Big Four – Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC – dominate the UK’s professional services sector, providing audit, tax, and consulting services. They are known for their global networks, strong training programmes, and competitive graduate pay.
| Firm | Base Salary | Performance Bonus | Total Compensation |
| Deloitte | £50,000 | £4,000 | £54,000 |
| EY | £43,000 | £1,500 | £44,500 |
| KPMG | £41,000 | £1,500 | £42,500 |
| PwC | £47,000 | £2,500 | £49,500 |
Among the Big Four, Deloitte currently offers the highest starting salaries for consulting roles in the UK, followed by PwC. EY and KPMG offer slightly lower pay but often include additional benefits such as training programmes, international mobility opportunities, and structured career development that enhance the overall package.
👉 Find out what consultants at Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and EY actually do.
Tier-2 and boutique firms such as Accenture, Kearney, and Oliver Wyman play a key role in the UK consulting market. Tier-2 firms provide a wide range of consulting and advisory services, while boutique consultancies tend to specialise in specific industries or functions. Although they may have smaller global footprints compared to the Big Four, they are valued for their deep expertise and personalised approach.
| Firm | Base Salary | Performance Bonus | Total Compensation |
| Accenture | £54,000 | – | up to £57,000 |
| Altman Solon | £50,000 | £5,000 | up to £56,000 |
| Alvarez & Marsal | £35,000 | – | up to £41,000 |
| Arthur D. Little | £40,000 | – | up to £45,000 |
| Capgemini Invent | £51,000 | – | up to £54,000 |
| ClearView Healthcare Partners | £50,000 | – | up to £54,000 |
| FTI Consulting | £35,000 | £7,000 | up to £42,000 |
| Kearney | £41,000 | – | up to £44,000 |
| L.E.K. Consulting | £50,000 | £2,750 | up to £54,000 |
| OC&C | £51,000 | £10,800 | up to £58,000 |
| Oliver Wyman | £34,000 | – | up to £39,000 |
| Simon Kucher | £52,000 | – | up to £55,000 |
| Strategy& | £52,000 | £5,200 | up to £57,000 |
| ZS Associates | £47,000 | £3,500 | up to £51,500 |
Among boutique consulting firms in the UK, several stand out for offering exceptionally high total compensation. OC&C Strategy Consultants, in particular, distinguishes itself with a performance bonus of up to £10,800, placing it among the top three highest-paying consultancies in the country. This figure is well above the average bonus range of £2,700 to £5,200 offered by most other firms.
However, it’s worth looking beyond salary alone. Factors such as company culture, specialisation, work-life balance, and development opportunities are equally important when choosing the right consulting firm for your career.
👉 Use our “Match Your Career” tool to find the consulting firm that best fits your goals and priorities.
Your salary as a consultant in the UK depends heavily on where you work. Regions with a high concentration of consulting firms – especially London and the South of England – tend to offer higher pay than smaller cities or rural areas. However, the cost of living in these regions is also significantly higher, which can impact your real purchasing power.
| Region | Salary Range |
| UK (overall) | £45,000 – £80,000 |
| England | £50,000 – £70,000 |
| Scotland | £48,000 – £68,000 |
| Northern Ireland | £25,000 – £68,000 |
| Wales | £34,000 – £88,000 |
The highest consulting salaries are found in England, particularly in the South and Greater London, where many international consulting firms and top clients are based. Scotland, with cities like Edinburgh, offers attractive opportunities with slightly lower but stable pay. Northern Ireland and Wales are growing markets, especially in tech consulting and public sector advisory, providing strong entry-level opportunities.
| City | Salary Range |
| London | £44,240 – £71,281 |
| Birmingham | £38,584 – £65,744 |
| Edinburgh | £43,266 – £61,593 |
| Manchester | £41,720 – £67,644 |
Unsurprisingly, the highest consulting salaries are found in London, home to major strategy firms and international clients. Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester offer slightly lower salary ranges but compensate with lower living costs, strong economic growth, and increasing importance as consulting hubs – ideal for those seeking a balance between career opportunities and quality of life.
As consultants gain more experience and develop specialised expertise, their salaries rise accordingly. Those who build deep knowledge, take on greater responsibility, and deliver measurable value for clients can expect regular pay increases and performance-based bonuses.
Senior consultants and experienced project leaders earn significantly higher salaries because they manage larger client projects and play a key role in driving firm growth. Experience, proven performance, and specialised skills are the main drivers of long-term salary development in consulting.
Let’s take a closer look at what that progression typically looks like along the consulting career ladder:
Job titles and responsibilities can vary slightly between consulting firms.
Let’s take a look at the typical career levels in consulting in the United Kingdom and how salaries differ based on experience.
| Career Level | Salary Range | Average Total Compensation | Average Additional Pay |
| Junior Consultant / Entry-Level Position | £34,000 – £70,000 | £50,000 | £4,000 |
| Experienced Consultant | £65,000 – £100,000 | £83,000 | £5,500 |
| Senior Consultant / Manager | £92,000 – £125,000 | £110,000 | £6,029 |
| Project Leader / Principal / Director | £120,000 – £165,000 | £143,000 | £25,852 |
| Partner / Managing Director | £125,000 – £757,000 | £440,000 | £99,151 |
Entry-level consultants support analyses, research, and client projects while learning the fundamentals of consulting work. Starting salaries in consulting are typically above the market average and are complemented by bonuses and additional benefits.
With growing experience, consultants take on more responsibility and manage projects more independently. Through direct client interaction and visible project success, both salary and bonus potential increase.
Senior consultants lead teams, oversee projects, and advise clients on strategic matters. Their salaries reflect their increased responsibility and their key role in driving company success.
At this level, consultants lead large client projects or business units and play a central role in strategic planning and business development. High base salaries and performance-based bonuses reward their expertise and leadership.
Partners and managing directors hold overall responsibility for business development, client relationships, and corporate strategy. They are among the highest earners in the industry and benefit from substantial bonuses and profit participation.
When comparing consulting salaries in the United Kingdom with professions in law, medicine, or finance, it becomes clear that consultants often earn more than entry-level professionals in these fields. Compared to investment banking, consulting salaries are generally on a similar level.
Technology companies such as Google, LinkedIn, or Meta sometimes offer higher starting salaries. However, top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain provide comparable earning potential, particularly thanks to rapid career progression, bonuses, and attractive benefits.
In addition to the base salary, signing and relocation bonuses, as well as performance-based incentives, make consulting compensation packages highly competitive – in some cases even exceeding those in the tech industry.
These figures represent average ranges and can vary depending on company size, experience, and location. Those who continuously develop their skills, take on responsibility, and perform well can significantly increase their income in consulting within a short time.
In summary, the consulting industry in the United Kingdom offers excellent starting salaries, making it one of the most attractive career paths for graduates. Firms provide competitive pay, diverse projects, and additional benefits that make entering the industry particularly rewarding.
Compensation varies depending on experience, education, location, and company size. Top firms such as McKinsey, BCG, Bain (MBB) and the Big Four typically pay above-average salaries, while smaller firms can stand out through specialisation, faster promotion paths, and closer client work. Salaries are highest in London, although this also comes with higher living costs.
As experience grows, salaries increase steadily, offering not only financial stability but also strong long-term career growth.
However, salary should not be the only deciding factor. Make sure the firm aligns with your personal values, goals, and preferred work culture. Finding the right consulting firm can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in the industry.
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