6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

BA - SBA: 1yr - 2yrs, 18 months most common

SBA - M: 1yr - 2.5yrs, 18-24 months most common

M - SM: 18months - 3yr, 2-3 years most common. This can be done in 1 year, but its very difficult and at this point it will require as much luck as skill.

BA - SBA and SBA - M are 'easy' promotions because they do not actually mean a change in 'scope' in the BA job family. Both of these roles, unless you are going for a 'flex' manager role, are individual contributors. Meaning that you are not expected to be leading a team or heading up other associates development. You will lead projects with the assistance of BA & SBAs, but fundamentally you are still an individual contributor. There does have to be the budget for the promotion in the org, but in normal years & circumstances that really isn't an issue. There are some flex cases for manager, where you might be a PL for a bit before getting to SM, but that in that case you are likely in a 'flex' role (a role designed for the position above yours that you are taking on to try to prove that you are ready for the next level). 

SM+ is a bit tricky as at that point there needs to be scope for the role. An SM is usually expected to start leading associates within a year of their promotion, so there has to be a line of sight to that. By and large the manager level is the end of the IC level for BAs, and there are very few SM ICs. I'd say the 3 biggest leaps promotion wise in the company are; M -> SM, SM -> D, and Sr. D -> VP. 

As for pay, it depends on Geo. This is probably inline with a yearly promotion, which would skew you towards the bottom of the range, but puts you ahead 2yrs minimum of most of your peers:

Associate: 107k (no adjustments this year by the looks of it to associate salary. However if there is an adjustment for the '25 class you will get bumped up to that level in Jan '25).

Sr Associate: 120k

Manager: 150k (manger promotion will almost always be the comp ratio promo because the BA and SA job families do not have the PA role between  SA and M).

Sr. Manger: 180k


When promoted your salary is going to be adjusted one of 2 ways; either a 10% increase in addition to whatever merit increase earned for the year (3 - 6% IIRC), or you will be moved to .90 of the midpoint of the level's comp band in addition to your merit increase, whichever is greater.

If you want to be promoted though you need to have that discussion with your manager and make your goals clear. You could be a top performer, but if you aren't starting the promo conversation you are unlikely to be promoted early.

 

Rerum qui harum sunt reprehenderit nihil vitae. Aut sed sequi aspernatur ut voluptas quis. Nihil veniam consectetur rerum perspiciatis est deleniti tempore. Quidem repudiandae consectetur nobis et et. Ut vel possimus magni quaerat sint aspernatur beatae. Exercitationem beatae consectetur earum quod ipsam. Est ducimus et vero facilis id.

Corporis tenetur suscipit est labore facilis sunt neque. Eum voluptatibus fugiat facere error sint nemo sunt quas. Voluptatem velit tempore omnis temporibus quae. Nihil aspernatur quae expedita aut. Et harum non in ex et.

Repellendus sit et fuga vitae. Dignissimos hic debitis ea non voluptas pariatur.

Et et quis est suscipit iusto. Vel dicta dolore sit asperiores eos sed. Soluta vero consectetur laudantium itaque exercitationem inventore praesentium ut. Placeat consequatur vel aperiam sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (52) $246
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (576) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (392) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (635) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”