MBB Pay progression
Curios if anybody has any updated data points on pay progression at MBB? Believe starting pay is around 130-140 all in but want to see how that increases.
Jul 26, 2025
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MBB Total Comp
AN1 120-135k
AN2 135-145k
Consultant 160-180k
Manager 200-250k
Principal 300-400k
Partner 500-800k
Senior Partner 800k-1mm
This is low.
Pretty standard
Is that really it? I always assumed these places paid better based on how competitive they seemed at entry level
Yea but these guys average like 55 hours a week. That’s pretty damn good comp for 9-8 M-F.
It's higher at MBB. Post-MBA Associate (Consultant) should be ~$225k+, senior EM (Manager) at McKinsey makes $300-400k, Associate Partner (Principal) probably clears close to $600k including profit share (~$400k ex. profit share). Partner comp should be $1-2M (incl. profit share) unless newly elected. Senior partner comp >$2M (incl. profit share).
However, the profit share might have been lower in 2022-24. Don't have recent intel. Before Associate Partner, your annual double digit pay bump is pretty much guaranteed.
Last I checked, these figures still held up (100% certain for Bain, and 80-90% for the other 2 -- some figures def need to be cross-validated though, like the Principal personal bonus at BCG, that's the best I could find, but seems low vs the other 2):
That is from data I collected either directly (for Bain), or using a combination of: Fishbowl, H1B visa filings, and this forum when talking to folks at McK and BCG. This excludes sign-on bonuses (I dont know them as I was based in the UK) and profit sharing / office bonuses (since these vary a lot year on year).
The personal bonus level is based on meeting expectations (so not overperforming or anything).
If you are from either of those or have more updated knowledge, please let me know and I can update the table and credit you.
Table doesn’t seem to be showing - I can just see a CV template. If this isn’t intentional and is just WSO glitching would you mind reposting as I’m interested in the figures.
I can still see the table, but it's possible it's not loading for some folks since it's a screenshot, so I am adding the data here in bullet points too. Figures are in USD and given as Base + Target Personal Bonus (this is also for 1st year into the role, there's usually a small increase in Yr 2):
This looks right
Bain has profit share / NAP which can either be nothing or a meaningful amount of money
Using H1B base salaries and avg. performer bonus (perks excl. usually 10% on top) we get following progression for BCG (very similar at McKinsey and Bain):
Associate - 110k + 10% Bonus = 120k (Max 130k)
Consultant - 190k + 25% Bonus = 240k (Max 266k)
Manager - 225.4k + 30% Bonus = 300k (Max 340k)
Principal - 254.9k + 40% = 360k (Max 400k)
Partner (non-equity) - 268.2k + 50% = 400k (Max 480k)
MD & Partner - 300k + equity distribution (600k-1.5mm)
MD & Senior Partner - sky is the limit (1.5mm-10mm)
This guy is closest
Bcg bonuses double for top performers (top 5% ish)
For Mck, out of undergrad progression isn't standard. You can make AP in 3.5 years if ur super fast. This is because undergrad's skip the post mba (associate role).
Most common out of undergrad progression is 2 years BA -> 1 year SBA -> 2 Years EM -> 2/3 years AP -> X years Partners -> senior Partner
Higher end Comp is:
(Year 1/2 )TC BA: 112 + 18k + 401k + extra cash benefits aprox. 150k
(Year 3) TC SBA: 145k + 40/50k + 401k + extra cash benefits aprox. 215
(Year 4/5) TC EM: 225k + 100k + 401k + extra cash benefits aprox. 350k
(Year 6-8) TC AP: 260k + 200kish + 401k + extra cash benefits aprox. 450k-500k
Partner 500k -1.5 M (closer to mid range)
Senior Partner: 1.5M +
How do you make AP "in 3.5 years"? 2 years BA, 1.5 years EM, then AP?
Yeah. it's pretty rare but i've seen it done by a few people.
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