Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: April 28, 2026

 

Consulting intern salary ranges from roughly $8,500 for a 10-week sophomore program to over $43,000 for MBA interns at top economic consulting firms. At MBB firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, undergraduate interns earn approximately $21,000 to $22,500 for a standard summer internship, while MBA interns earn $36,500 to $40,000.

 

In this guide, I will break down consulting intern pay at every major firm, show you exactly how bonuses and benefits add up, and explain how your internship salary connects to your eventual full-time offer. Having spent years at Bain as a manager and interviewer, I have seen firsthand how these compensation packages work.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

How Much Do Consulting Interns Get Paid?

 

Consulting interns earn between $8,500 and $43,250 for a standard 10-week summer internship, depending on the firm and your degree level. According to Glassdoor data from 2026, the average consulting intern salary in the United States is approximately $84,000 on an annualized basis, which translates to roughly $16,000 to $20,000 for a typical summer program.

 

The biggest factor in your intern pay is the type of firm you join. MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, and Bain) pay significantly more than Big 4 firms, which in turn pay more than most boutique and mid-tier firms. Your education level also matters. MBA interns earn 50% to 90% more than undergraduate interns at the same firm.

 

Here is a quick overview of consulting intern pay by firm tier, based on publicly reported 2025 and 2026 compensation data.

 

Firm Tier	Undergrad/Masters (10 wks)	MBA (10 wks)
MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)	$21,000 - $22,500	$36,500 - $40,000
Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)	$13,000 - $19,600	$28,000 - $33,700
Tier 2 / Boutique	$12,000 - $20,400	$25,000 - $43,250

 

These figures include base salary only. Signing bonuses, relocation stipends, and housing allowances can add $1,000 to $10,000 on top of these numbers. For a complete breakdown of full-time consulting salaries at every level, see our consulting career path guide.

 

What Is the Consulting Intern Salary at MBB Firms?

 

MBB firms offer the highest consulting intern salaries in the industry. All three firms pay interns a prorated version of their full-time base salary, which means your weekly intern pay is the same as what a first-year full-time consultant earns per week. According to data from firm career pages, Glassdoor, and Levels.fyi, MBB intern compensation has remained flat since 2023.

 

What Does McKinsey Pay Its Interns?

 

McKinsey pays its summer Business Analyst interns a prorated salary based on the full-time BA base of approximately $112,000 per year. That works out to roughly $21,250 for a 10-week internship, or about $9,000 per month. According to Levels.fyi, McKinsey BA interns earn approximately $52 per hour.

 

Summer Associate interns (MBA level) earn a prorated salary based on the full-time Associate base of $192,000. That translates to roughly $36,900 for a 10-week internship, or about $16,000 per month. McKinsey Sophomore Summer Business Analyst interns earn approximately $8,500 for the 10-week program.

 

In addition to base pay, McKinsey interns receive travel reimbursement, professional development resources, and access to wellness benefits. According to McKinsey's recruiting materials, over 90% of summer interns receive a full-time return offer. For the full application process and timeline, see our McKinsey internship guide.

 

What Does BCG Pay Its Interns?

 

BCG pays undergraduate and non-MBA master's interns approximately $21,000 for a 10-week internship. This is prorated from BCG's full-time Associate base salary of around $115,000. MBA and PhD interns earn roughly $36,500, prorated from the full-time Consultant base salary of approximately $190,000.

 

BCG's Growing Future Leaders program participants receive an additional $10,000 signing bonus on top of their intern salary. BCG's internship runs 10 to 12 weeks depending on the office. For a detailed look at the BCG internship program and application process, see our dedicated guide.

 

What Does Bain Pay Its Interns?

 

Bain offers the highest intern salary among MBB firms at both the undergraduate and MBA levels. According to Bain's careers page, Associate Consultant interns earn a monthly base salary of $9,000, which comes to $22,500 for a 10-week program, plus a $1,000 relocation bonus.

 

MBA-level Summer Associate interns earn approximately $40,000 for the 10-week program. Bain's Canadian offices pay slightly more, with MBA interns earning roughly $41,250 CAD. For the complete walkthrough on how to land a Bain internship, check out our Bain internship guide.

 

How Do MBB Intern Salaries Compare?

 

Here is a side-by-side comparison of MBB intern salaries based on publicly reported data from firm career pages, Glassdoor, and Levels.fyi.

 

Component	McKinsey	BCG	Bain
Undergrad Intern (10 wks)	~$21,250	~$21,000	~$22,500
MBA Intern (10 wks)	~$36,900	~$36,500	~$40,000
Sophomore Intern (10 wks)	~$8,500	Varies by program	N/A
Signing Bonus	Varies	Up to $10,000 (GFL)	$1,000 relocation
Internship Duration	10 weeks	10 - 12 weeks	10 weeks

 

One key takeaway: MBB intern pay has been flat for three consecutive years. According to industry salary reports, starting consulting salaries at both the undergraduate and MBA levels have not increased since 2023. This applies to both interns and full-time hires.

 

What Is the Consulting Intern Salary at Big 4 Firms?

 

Big 4 consulting intern salaries are lower than MBB but still competitive compared to most industries. Based on 2025 and 2026 salary data from Glassdoor, firm job postings, and industry reports, here is what each Big 4 firm pays its consulting interns.

 

What Does Deloitte Pay Consulting Interns?

 

Deloitte Consulting pays interns approximately $32 per hour for its standard summer internship, with a $5,000 signing bonus for sophomore programs. Deloitte Consulting Services (formerly Strategy & Analytics) pays higher at roughly $43 per hour. Discovery Interns earn about $31.25 per hour. Based on Glassdoor data, Deloitte intern pay annualizes to approximately $57,000 to $77,000.

 

MBA interns at Deloitte Consulting earn approximately $33,700 for a 10-week summer program, plus a $2,500 signing bonus. For more on the Deloitte internship programs, see our Deloitte Discovery Internship guide.

 

What Does PwC Pay Consulting Interns?

 

PwC pays consulting interns up to $48 per hour, with sophomore interns earning around $34 per hour. Strategy& interns earn approximately $49 per hour, plus overtime pay, making PwC's strategy practice one of the highest-paying Big 4 internship tracks. PwC also offers a signing bonus of $3,000 for selected interns.

 

At the MBA level, PwC interns earn approximately $33,650 for a 10-week program. According to industry salary data, PwC Strategy& MBA total compensation can reach up to $280,000 in the first year of full-time employment, which is more than BCG or McKinsey at the same level.

 

What Does EY Pay Consulting Interns?

 

EY Consulting pays interns approximately $39 per hour plus a $2,000 signing bonus. EY-Parthenon, the firm's strategy consulting arm, pays higher at roughly $45 per hour with a signing bonus of up to $3,000. Sophomore interns at EY-Parthenon also earn $45 per hour with a $2,000 signing bonus.

 

MBA interns at EY-Parthenon earn approximately $28,000 for an 8-week internship plus a $5,000 signing bonus. Full-time EY-Parthenon MBA hires can earn up to $268,000 in total first-year compensation. For more on EY's internship tracks, check out our EY Tech Consulting Internship guide.

 

What Does KPMG Pay Consulting Interns?

 

KPMG pays consulting interns approximately $17,000 for a 10-week program at the undergraduate and master's level. KPMG interns earn roughly $66 per hour at the MBA level, with overtime pay at $99 per hour. According to industry reports, KPMG interns also receive 30 days of PTO and up to $10,000 for relocation, making KPMG's total benefits package more generous than its base salary alone might suggest.

 

What Is the Consulting Intern Salary at Tier 2 and Boutique Firms?

 

Several Tier 2 and boutique consulting firms pay intern salaries that rival or exceed the Big 4. A few specialty firms, particularly in economic consulting, pay even more than MBB at the MBA level. Based on data from industry salary reports and Glassdoor, here is what you can expect.

 

Firm	Undergrad/Masters Pay	Signing Bonus	Duration
Oliver Wyman	$18,900	$2,500	9 weeks
Kearney	$19,230	Varies	10 weeks
L.E.K. Consulting	$18,500	Varies	10 weeks
Capital One Strategy	$20,384	$3,000	10 weeks
Accenture	~$32/hr (~$12,800)	$2,500	10 weeks
FTI Consulting	~$39/hr (~$15,600)	Varies	10 weeks
Guidehouse	~$35/hr (~$14,000)	$2,000	10 weeks
Huron Consulting	~$30/hr (~$12,000)	$2,000	10 weeks
NERA Economic Consulting	N/A	$1,250	10 weeks

 

A few firms stand out. Capital One Strategy Group pays undergraduate interns over $20,000, which is comparable to MBB. NERA Economic Consulting reportedly pays MBA interns approximately $43,250 for 10 weeks, making it one of the highest-paying consulting internships of any kind. For a comprehensive overview of smaller firms worth targeting, check out our guide to the top boutique consulting firms.

 

If you are preparing to interview at any of these firms, the process typically includes a case interview. My case interview course walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days, saving you 100+ hours of trial and error.

 

What Bonuses and Benefits Do Consulting Interns Receive?

 

Consulting intern compensation goes beyond your base paycheck. Most firms offer some combination of signing bonuses, relocation assistance, housing stipends, and travel reimbursement. These extras can add $1,000 to $10,000 to your total summer earnings.

 

Here is a breakdown of the most common additional benefits based on data from firm career pages and industry salary reports.

 

• Signing bonuses: Range from $1,000 at Huron and Guidehouse to $10,000 at BCG (for Growing Future Leaders participants). Most Big 4 firms offer $2,000 to $5,000.

 

• Relocation stipends: Bain offers a $1,000 relocation bonus. McKinsey reportedly offers up to $10,000 for relocation and up to $10,000 for housing for full-time hires, though intern-specific amounts may differ by office.

 

• Travel reimbursement: MBB firms cover all travel costs for interns placed on client engagements that require travel. This includes flights, hotels, and meals.

 

• Professional development: All MBB firms provide a week of structured training at the start of the internship. Topics include business strategy, financial modeling, presentation skills, and client interaction.

 

• Mentorship: Most firms assign each intern a dedicated mentor and, in some cases, a separate development manager. According to McKinsey's careers page, interns also receive formal mid-summer and end-of-summer performance reviews.

 

Does Your Degree Level Affect Consulting Intern Pay?

 

Yes. Your degree level is the single biggest determinant of your consulting intern salary at any given firm. Consulting firms set intern pay by prorating the full-time base salary of the role you would enter after graduation. Since MBA hires start at a higher level with a higher base salary, their intern pay is proportionally higher.

 

Here is how intern pay breaks down by degree level at MBB firms, based on publicly reported 2025 and 2026 data.

 

Degree Level	Entry Role	Full-Time Base	Intern Pay (10 wks)
Sophomore (diversity)	Business Analyst	~$112,000 (prorated lower)	~$8,500
Undergraduate Junior	Business Analyst	~$112,000	~$21,000 - $22,500
Non-MBA Master's	Business Analyst	~$112,000	~$21,000 - $22,500
MBA	Associate / Consultant	~$190,000 - $192,000	~$36,500 - $40,000
PhD / JD / MD	Associate / Consultant	~$190,000 - $192,000	~$36,500 - $40,000

 

Advanced degree holders (PhD, JD, MD) enter at the same level as MBA hires and earn the same intern salary. According to 2026 salary data, the total first-year compensation for a PhD entering an MBB firm exceeds $210,000, representing a 5x to 6x increase over the average PhD stipend of $35,000. For more on this path, check out our guide on getting into consulting as a PhD.

 

How Does Consulting Intern Pay Connect to Full-Time Offers?

 

Consulting intern pay is directly derived from full-time compensation, so your internship salary gives you a reliable preview of what you will earn if you convert to a full-time role. Firms use a simple formula: divide the annual full-time base salary by 52 weeks, then multiply by the number of internship weeks (usually 10).

 

Conversion rates at top firms are high. According to McKinsey's recruiting materials, over 90% of interns receive return offers. At Bain, the figure is similarly above 80%. In my experience coaching candidates, performing well during the internship is largely about demonstrating the same qualities that got you the offer: structured thinking, clear communication, and a strong work ethic.

 

Here is what a full-time offer typically looks like for interns who convert at MBB firms.

 

Component	Undergrad Full-Time	MBA Full-Time	Notes
Base Salary	$110,000 - $115,000	$190,000 - $192,000	Flat since 2023
Performance Bonus	Up to $18,000 - $20,000	Up to $40,000 - $63,000	Varies by firm
Signing Bonus	$5,000	$30,000	Consistent across MBB
Total First-Year Comp	$130,000 - $150,000	$260,000 - $295,000	Includes all bonuses

 

For detailed salary breakdowns at every career level, see our McKinsey salary guide and our BCG salary guide.

 

How Does Consulting Intern Pay Compare to Other Industries?

 

Consulting internships are among the highest-paid internships in any industry. However, they are not the absolute top. Investment banking and big tech internships often pay slightly more. Here is a quick comparison for undergraduate interns based on 2025 and 2026 reported data from Glassdoor and Levels.fyi.

 

Industry / Firm Type	Undergrad Intern (10 wks)	Hourly Rate
MBB Consulting	$21,000 - $22,500	~$50 - $54/hr
Investment Banking (BB)	$22,000 - $25,000	~$52 - $60/hr
Big Tech (Google, Meta)	$20,000 - $28,000	~$48 - $67/hr
Big 4 Consulting	$13,000 - $19,600	~$32 - $49/hr
Corporate (Fortune 500)	$8,000 - $15,000	~$20 - $38/hr

 

MBB consulting interns earn roughly on par with investment banking interns but typically work fewer hours during the summer. Big tech internships at firms like Google can pay more in base salary but do not offer the same path to a structured career track with guaranteed promotion timelines.

 

The real financial edge of a consulting internship is the full-time offer that follows. A consulting career path reaches $200,000+ in total compensation within two to three years, and Partner-level pay can exceed $1 million annually. For a walkthrough of the entire progression, see our consulting career path guide.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Are Consulting Internships Paid?

 

Yes. Every major consulting firm pays its interns. MBB interns earn $21,000 to $40,000 for a 10-week program, Big 4 interns earn $13,000 to $33,700, and boutique firm interns earn $12,000 to $43,250. Consulting internships are among the highest-paid in any industry.

 

How Long Do Consulting Internships Last?

 

Most consulting internships last 10 weeks, typically running from early June to mid-August. BCG internships can run 10 to 12 weeks depending on the office. Oliver Wyman's program is 9 weeks. Some diversity-focused programs for freshmen and sophomores are shorter, ranging from one day to two weeks.

 

Do Consulting Interns Get Signing Bonuses?

 

Some do. BCG's Growing Future Leaders program offers a $10,000 signing bonus. PwC and Deloitte offer $3,000 to $5,000 signing bonuses depending on the track. Bain offers a $1,000 relocation bonus. Not all internship programs include signing bonuses, so check the specific program you are applying to.

 

What Is the Highest Paying Consulting Internship?

 

At the undergraduate level, Bain pays the highest MBB intern salary at $22,500 for 10 weeks. At the MBA level, NERA Economic Consulting reportedly pays approximately $43,250 for a 10-week internship, making it the highest-paying consulting internship overall. Among MBB firms, Bain also leads at the MBA level with approximately $40,000.

 

Can You Negotiate Consulting Intern Salary?

 

No. Consulting intern salaries are standardized at virtually every firm. All interns at the same level and in the same office earn the same base pay. In my experience, firms do not entertain salary negotiations for internship roles. Where you do have flexibility is in choosing which office to join, since some offices in higher cost-of-living cities may offer slightly higher pay.

 

Do Consulting Interns Get Housing?

 

Most firms do not provide company housing for interns. However, many offer relocation stipends or housing allowances to help cover summer living costs. McKinsey offers up to $10,000 for housing at the full-time level, and some offices extend a version of this to interns. Bain offers a $1,000 relocation bonus for interns. Check your specific offer letter for details.

 

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