Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: June 2, 2026

 

Kearney salary ranges from roughly $110,000 in total compensation for entry-level Business Analysts to well over $500,000 for Partners in 2026. Most consultants at Kearney earn a median total package near $188,000 once base, bonus, and benefits are combined. Pay rises sharply at each promotion, and bonuses make up a larger share of your package as you climb.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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How Much Does Kearney Pay in 2026?

 

Kearney pays consultants a median total compensation of about $188,000 per year in the United States, according to Levels.fyi data updated in 2026. Entry-level hires start near $110,000 in total pay, while senior leaders at the Partner level can earn more than $500,000. Your exact package depends on your level, office location, and individual performance.

 

Kearney is a global management consulting firm, not to be confused with Kearney & Company, a separate federal accounting and advisory firm. The figures in this guide refer to the management consulting firm. As a former Bain Manager and interviewer, I have reviewed offer letters from across the consulting industry, and Kearney sits firmly in the top tier of pay for non-MBB firms.

 

Here is a quick snapshot of total compensation by level before we break down each one in detail.

 

Career Level	Typical Total Comp	Common Entry Point
Business Analyst	$95,000 to $120,000	Undergraduate hire
Senior Business Analyst	$125,000 to $145,000	2 to 3 years experience
Associate	$180,000 to $215,000	MBA hire
Manager	$220,000 to $280,000	4 to 7 years experience
Principal	$300,000 to $385,000	Pre-Partner leader
Partner	$500,000 to $1,000,000+	Firm owner level

 

These ranges blend base salary, performance bonus, and signing bonus where applicable. Numbers reflect data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Zippia as of 2026.

 

What Is the Kearney Salary by Career Level?

 

Kearney salary rises at every step of the consulting career ladder, from Business Analyst to Partner. The biggest jumps happen when you join as an MBA Associate and when you reach Principal and Partner, where profit sharing kicks in. Below is each level explained with base pay, bonus, and total compensation.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Business Analyst Make?

 

A Kearney Business Analyst earns a base salary of roughly $95,000 to $110,000, with total compensation reaching $110,000 to $120,000 once the performance bonus is included. This is the standard entry point for undergraduate and master's degree hires. Performance bonuses at this level typically run 10% to 15% of base.

 

In high cost of living offices like New York, the median Business Analyst package sits closer to $118,000, according to Levels.fyi. The role focuses on data analysis, research, and supporting senior team members on client projects.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Senior Business Analyst Make?

 

A Kearney Senior Business Analyst earns about $108,000 in base salary with a bonus near $22,000, bringing total compensation to roughly $129,000, based on Levels.fyi data from 2026. You typically reach this level after two to three years as a Business Analyst. Many consultants leave for an MBA at this stage before returning as an Associate.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Associate Make?

 

A Kearney Associate earns a base salary near $178,000 with total compensation around $200,000, according to Levels.fyi. This is the post-MBA entry point and comes with a sizable jump in responsibility. Associates lead workstreams, manage Business Analysts, and own direct client relationships.

 

Total packages at this level can reach $215,000 or higher with a strong performance bonus and signing bonus. MBA hires often receive relocation support and a one-time signing bonus on top of base.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Manager Make?

 

A Kearney Manager earns total compensation of roughly $220,000 to $280,000, combining a base salary in the low $200,000s with a performance bonus that grows with your rating. Managers run entire project teams and are responsible for client delivery and team development. At this level, your bonus becomes a meaningful share of your pay.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Principal Make?

 

A Kearney Principal earns total compensation up to about $383,000, the highest reported package below Partner, according to Levels.fyi. Principals sit just below Partner and focus on selling work, owning client accounts, and guiding the firm's practice areas. A growing portion of pay at this level is tied to the business you generate.

 

How Much Does a Kearney Partner Make?

 

A Kearney Partner earns total compensation ranging from roughly $500,000 to over $1,000,000, with the top reported packages exceeding $525,000 in base and bonus before profit sharing, based on Glassdoor data from 2026. Partner pay swings widely from year to year because most of it comes from firm profit sharing rather than fixed salary. Top-performing Partners who bring in significant client revenue earn the most.

 

How Does Kearney Pay Compare to MBB?

 

Kearney pay is competitive with McKinsey, BCG, and Bain at the entry level but tends to trail MBB at the post-MBA and senior levels. MBB firms pay MBA Associates a $192,000 base while Kearney Associates earn closer to $178,000. The gap widens at Partner, where MBB profit sharing can push pay into the multiple millions.

 

The table below compares total first-year compensation at the two most common entry points. MBB figures come from Poets and Quants 2026 reporting.

 

Entry Point	Kearney Total Comp	MBB Total Comp
Undergraduate hire	$110,000 to $120,000	$130,000 to $140,000
MBA hire (Associate)	$180,000 to $215,000	$260,000 to $285,000

 

The takeaway is that MBB still leads on raw pay, especially for MBA hires. Kearney makes up ground in other ways, which we cover next.

 

Why Choose Kearney Over a Higher-Paying Firm?

 

Kearney offers faster promotion timelines, earlier client exposure, and a strong operations and procurement reputation that MBB cannot always match. The firm's smaller size means high performers get noticed and promoted more quickly. Pay is only one factor in a consulting decision.

 

There are three reasons candidates pick Kearney even when a higher offer exists:

 

• Faster progression: A leaner structure means strong performers reach Manager and Principal sooner than at larger firms.

 

• Operations expertise: Kearney is known for supply chain, procurement, and operations work, which builds a specialized and marketable skill set.

 

• Strong exit options: Kearney consultants land consulting exit opportunities in corporate strategy, private equity, and operations leadership.

 

Kearney is one of the strongest tier 2 consulting firms for candidates who want top-tier work without the larger MBB headcount. The trade-off in headline pay is often worth it for the experience and speed of growth.

 

What Factors Affect Your Kearney Salary?

 

Your Kearney salary depends on your level, office location, performance rating, and prior experience. Two consultants at the same level can earn very different totals based on bonus and city. Understanding these levers helps you negotiate and plan your career.

 

The four biggest factors are:

 

• Career level: This is the single largest driver. Each promotion brings a step change in base and bonus.

 

• Office location: Offices in New York, San Francisco, and other high cost cities pay more to offset living costs.

 

• Performance rating: Top performers can earn roughly double the bonus of an average performer at the same level.

 

• Prior experience: Lateral and experienced hires often negotiate higher starting base than campus hires.

 

Your performance rating compounds over time. A strong rating not only raises your bonus but also speeds up your next promotion, which raises your base. Mapping out the full consulting career path helps you see how each rating affects your long-term earnings.

 

How Do You Get a High-Paying Offer at Kearney?

 

To land a high-paying offer at Kearney, you need to pass the case interview and fit interview rounds, which the firm uses to assess problem-solving and culture fit. Strong performance in these rounds can also support a better starting package. The case is the make-or-break component for most candidates.

 

The Kearney recruiting process generally follows these steps:

 

1. Submit your application and resume, often through a campus or online channel.
   
   
2. Complete any required online assessment or screening test.
   
   
3. Pass first-round interviews, which include case and fit questions.
   
   
4. Pass final-round interviews with senior consultants and Partners.
   
   
5. Receive and negotiate your offer.

 

The Kearney case interview leans heavily on operations and analytical problem-solving, so practicing structured frameworks and quick math is the best use of your prep time. If you want to learn case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is Kearney salary good compared to other consulting firms?

 

Yes, Kearney pay is strong and ranks among the top non-MBB firms. Entry-level total compensation of $110,000 to $120,000 is close to MBB undergraduate pay. The main gap appears at the MBA and Partner levels, where MBB pulls ahead.

 

How much does a Kearney consultant make per year?

 

A Kearney consultant earns a median total compensation of about $188,000 per year in the United States, according to Levels.fyi 2026 data. The figure varies widely by level, ranging from roughly $110,000 for a Business Analyst to over $500,000 for a Partner.

 

Does Kearney pay a signing bonus?

 

Yes, Kearney typically offers a signing bonus to MBA Associate hires, along with relocation support. Signing bonuses are most common at the post-MBA level and for experienced lateral hires. Exact amounts vary by office and year.

 

How much does a Kearney Partner make?

 

A Kearney Partner earns total compensation from roughly $500,000 to over $1,000,000, with most of the pay coming from firm profit sharing. Because profit sharing varies, Partner earnings can swing significantly year to year. Top performers who generate the most client revenue earn the highest packages.

 

Is Kearney considered MBB?

 

No, Kearney is not part of MBB, which refers only to McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. Kearney is widely regarded as one of the strongest tier 2 strategy firms. Its operations and procurement work is among the most respected in the industry.

 

How fast can you get promoted at Kearney?

 

Promotion at Kearney is performance-based, and strong performers often advance faster than at larger firms thanks to the firm's smaller size. A typical path moves from Business Analyst to Associate to Manager over several years. High performers gain leadership exposure and salary bumps earlier in their careers.

 

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