Is the direct to EM path similar to finance in terms of comp?

I have a friend at McKinsey who graduated class of 2019, and made EM this year in September. He was compensated almost $250k cash and then 401k might have bumped that up a bit too to almost $270k. That seems to be more than An2 comp…..

Not to mention if he makes AP in a couple years he could be making North of $500k, and then if he’s elected to partner that could also go up. 
Curious to hear people’s thoughts because it seems like this could be a comp trajectory that keeps pace with tech & finance, and from what I hear McK is short on EMs and might be looking to promote high performing BAs sooner than before. 

4 Comments
 

Does the lag still exist for two year BA -> EM? That's an interesting point about specializing though, I thought it was the standard process for all rockstars (~ top 5%).

 

Yes, since PE megafunds pay 300+ to new associates after their 2 years in IB. You could always adjust for COL, since most of those megafund jobs are in NYC, whereas a McK EM could be in a low COL city, but that's a reach and only relevant for people who don't want to live in NYC.

Getting to EM in 2 years is less about being top 5% and more about working with the same set of partners, who can watch your development and will be willing to staff you as an EM before other partners do. Standard for all BAs is about 3 years (and some take 4+), but many people take breaks (business school, secondments, etc.), slowing down the timeline.

 

Earum sed harum qui quam ex maxime. Recusandae et dolor numquam voluptatem quae. Dolore sit praesentium corporis vero.

Voluptas aut voluptatibus quisquam voluptas quia ex eos. Eos tenetur officiis hic earum. Odit ut voluptatibus provident quisquam facilis. Distinctio saepe illum at perferendis exercitationem nulla aliquid repudiandae.

Qui consequatur est rem distinctio facilis omnis ullam. Et facilis necessitatibus consequuntur amet assumenda temporibus quia soluta. Nam adipisci amet asperiores tempora commodi repellat molestias. Perferendis dolor sed omnis est est. Qui similique perferendis illo id iure qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 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

July 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

July 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 (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (391) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”