Does MBB location matter? Charlotte VS NYC?

I am interested in consulting after my MBA. I saw MBB has locations in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Cleveland. In IB these are tier 2 cities, and generally, you would see a decrease in pay and prestige. Is this the same in consulting? 

If the pay in Charlotte is the same as in NYC or Boston why wouldn't you go to Charlotte? Do you get better opportunities in different cities? 

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Generally want to be close to the type of work you are interested in. So, tech people should try west coast, finance people to NY. This is because industry specific partners will localize to those areas and you can get staffed on their work.

My understanding is that M has a global staffing model (vs local staffing model for BB) so anyone can be staffed anywhere. It would still be an advantage to be close to the preferred geography, but less pronounced difference than BB.

Pay is same regardless of location. Consulting salary in NYC is tough

 

Et est asperiores laudantium delectus consequatur ipsum sint dolorem. Inventore enim iure id illo et. Sint ipsa officia sunt illum dolores qui eligendi tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (576) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $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...”