KPMG Consulting Salary: Pay by Level (2026)

Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: June 3, 2026

 

KPMG consulting salary ranges from about $80,000 for entry-level Associates to $335,000 or more for Directors. Managing Directors and Partners can earn $500,000 to over $1 million. This guide breaks down KPMG advisory pay at every level, including base salary, bonuses, the Deal Advisory and Strategy premium, and how KPMG compares to MBB salaries and the other Big 4 firms.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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How much does KPMG consulting pay at each level?

 

KPMG consulting pay rises sharply with seniority. Entry-level Associates earn roughly $80,000 to $100,000 in total compensation, while Senior Managers clear $200,000 and Directors reach $250,000 to $360,000. The table below shows typical 2026 total compensation at each level of the KPMG advisory career ladder.

 

KPMG advisory level

Base salary

Bonus

Total compensation

Intern

$47K to $70K*

Up to $4K

$50K to $74K*

Associate (Analyst)

$70K to $95K

$3K to $8K

$80K to $100K

Senior Associate (Consultant)

$95K to $125K

$6K to $15K

$110K to $145K

Senior Consultant

$115K to $145K

$10K to $20K

$130K to $165K

Manager

$135K to $175K

$15K to $35K

$160K to $210K

Senior Manager

$165K to $210K

$25K to $55K

$200K to $265K

Director

$190K to $260K

$40K to $90K

$250K to $360K

Managing Director / Partner

$250K+

Profit share

$500K to $1M+

 

*Intern figures are annualized for comparison. The naming can be confusing because KPMG titles its advisory roles Associate, Senior Associate, Manager, and so on, while salary sites like Levels.fyi map the same track as Analyst, Consultant, and Senior Consultant. The pay bands are what matter, not the label.

 

According to Levels.fyi data updated in May 2026, the median KPMG Management Consultant earns about $102,000 in total compensation, with reported packages reaching $301,000 at the Associate Partner level.

 

What is the KPMG consulting intern salary?

 

The KPMG consulting intern salary is roughly $50,000 to $74,000 on an annualized basis. Most interns earn a base wage equivalent to $35 to $40 per hour, plus a modest completion bonus of up to $4,000. Interns who perform well usually receive a full-time return offer.

 

Interns do not receive profit sharing or firm equity. The internship usually lasts 8 to 12 weeks during the summer. It is the most reliable path into a full-time KPMG advisory role at a strong starting salary.

 

How much do entry-level KPMG consultants earn?

 

Entry-level KPMG consultants earn about $80,000 to $100,000 in total compensation. Undergraduate hires typically join as Associates with a base salary of $70,000 to $95,000. Performance bonuses add another $3,000 to $8,000 on top.

 

Your exact offer depends on your office location, your degree, and which practice you join. Associates in high cost of living cities like New York or San Francisco earn more than those in Dallas or Houston. Associates in Deal Advisory and Strategy earn more than those in core advisory.

 

What is the KPMG senior associate and senior consultant salary?

 

KPMG senior associates and senior consultants earn roughly $110,000 to $165,000 in total compensation. Base salaries land between $95,000 and $145,000, with bonuses of $6,000 to $20,000. This is the level most post-MBA hires enter at.

 

A typical post-MBA Senior Associate joining core KPMG Advisory earns $150,000 to $160,000 all-in during the first year, including signing bonus. The same hire in Deal Advisory and Strategy can reach $185,000 to $200,000. The gap between the two practices grows at every level above this one.

 

How much do KPMG consulting managers and senior managers make?

 

KPMG consulting managers make about $160,000 to $210,000 in total compensation. Senior managers earn $200,000 to $265,000. At this stage, bonuses grow quickly and profit sharing begins to appear in the package.

 

Managers own client relationships and lead multiple workstreams at once. Senior managers carry business development targets and start to influence which engagements the firm pursues. According to Glassdoor data from 2026, the average KPMG advisory manager base salary sits around $150,000 before bonus.

 

What is the KPMG consulting director and partner salary?

 

KPMG consulting directors earn $250,000 to $360,000 in total compensation. Managing Directors and Partners can earn $500,000 to over $1 million once firm equity and profit sharing are included. Pay at this level depends heavily on how much business you generate.

 

Directors manage large client accounts and own revenue targets. Partners and Managing Directors participate in firm equity, which is where total pay separates from the simple base-plus-bonus model. This is also where KPMG falls furthest behind MBB, since MBB partner profit sharing tends to run higher.

 

How much more does KPMG Deal Advisory and Strategy pay?

 

KPMG Deal Advisory and Strategy, the firm's mergers, acquisitions, and strategy practice, pays roughly 15% to 25% more than core KPMG Advisory at every level. A post-MBA Senior Associate in core advisory might earn $150,000 to $160,000 all-in, while the same hire in Deal Advisory and Strategy can reach $185,000 to $200,000.

 

Having coached dozens of candidates through KPMG offers, this is the single biggest factor most salary sites get wrong. They report one blended KPMG number and miss that the strategy practice is a different pay tier entirely. If you are choosing between offers, ask which practice the offer sits in before comparing the dollar figure.

 

Level

Core Advisory (total comp)

Deal Advisory and Strategy (total comp)

Associate

$80K to $100K

$95K to $120K

Senior Associate

$110K to $145K

$135K to $175K

Manager

$160K to $210K

$190K to $250K

Senior Manager

$200K to $265K

$240K to $320K

Director

$250K to $360K

$300K to $430K

 

How does your degree affect your KPMG starting salary?

 

Your starting salary at KPMG depends heavily on your degree. Undergraduate hires enter as Associates, MBA and master's hires usually enter as Senior Associates, and PhD hires can enter even higher. Each step up the entry ladder adds $30,000 to $60,000 in starting pay.

 

Degree

Typical entry level

First-year total comp

Undergraduate

Associate

$80K to $100K

MBA or master's

Senior Associate

$150K to $165K

PhD

Senior Associate or Manager

$160K to $200K

 

You will have little room to negotiate the base salary itself, since KPMG sets standardized bands by level and office. The bigger lever is the level you enter at, which is set by your degree and experience. Entering one level higher is worth far more than negotiating a few thousand dollars on the base.

 

What benefits and bonuses does KPMG offer?

 

Beyond base salary, KPMG consultants receive performance bonuses, a 401(k) match, healthcare, and paid time off. Signing bonuses are common for experienced and post-MBA hires. Senior levels add profit sharing and firm equity.

 

  • Performance bonus: Ranges from a few thousand dollars at the Associate level to $90,000 or more for Directors

 

  • Signing bonus: Common for MBA and experienced hires, often $10,000 to $30,000

 

  • 401(k) match plus a separate pension-style contribution at many levels

 

  • Healthcare, dental, and vision coverage from day one

 

  • Paid time off, parental leave, and well-being stipends

 

  • Profit sharing and firm equity for Partners and Managing Directors

 

How does KPMG consulting salary compare to MBB and the other Big 4?

 

KPMG consulting salary sits at the lower end of the Big 4 consulting firms and well below MBB. A first-year undergraduate hire at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain earns around $112,000 in total compensation, compared to $80,000 to $100,000 at KPMG. KPMG pay is broadly in line with PwC and EY.

 

Firm

Undergrad entry total comp

Post-MBA entry total comp

McKinsey / BCG / Bain

~$112K

~$192K

Deloitte

$90K to $100K

$175K to $190K

KPMG

$80K to $100K

$150K to $165K

PwC / EY

$80K to $100K

$150K to $170K

 

KPMG sits slightly below the Deloitte consulting salary at most levels, and the gap with MBB widens as you climb. The trade-off is that KPMG tends to offer better work-life balance and a clearer path to client-facing work earlier in your career.

 

How long does it take to get promoted at KPMG?

 

The standard KPMG promotion track from Associate to Partner takes about 14 to 18 years. Post-MBA hires who start as Senior Associates reach Partner in roughly 11 to 14 years. Promotions typically come every 2 to 3 years if you meet expectations.

 

Each promotion along the consulting career path comes with a meaningful pay bump, usually 20% to 40% in total compensation. The largest jumps happen at the Manager and Director transitions, where bonuses and profit sharing scale up. Deal Advisory and Strategy hires often move slightly faster than core advisory.

 

How can you increase your KPMG consulting salary?

 

The fastest way to raise your KPMG pay is to enter at a higher level, since base bands are mostly fixed by title. Beyond that, choosing the right practice and performing strongly in reviews drives the biggest gains.

 

Tip #1: Enter at the highest level you qualify for

 

Entering as a Senior Associate instead of an Associate is worth $50,000 or more in year one. Passing the KPMG case interview at a higher level is the single most valuable thing you can do for your starting pay.

 

Tip #2: Target Deal Advisory and Strategy

 

The strategy practice pays 15% to 25% more than core advisory at every level. If you can get an offer in this group, the premium compounds over your whole tenure.

 

Tip #3: Choose your office strategically

 

KPMG adjusts pay by cost of living, so a New York offer pays more in raw dollars. If your goal is take-home value, a lower cost city like Dallas or Atlanta can stretch a similar salary much further.

 

Tip #4: Perform for the top bonus tier

 

Bonuses at the Manager level and above vary widely based on your review rating. A top rating can mean tens of thousands of dollars more than an average one. Document your client impact and revenue contribution throughout the year.

 

Tip #5: Use a competing offer as a lever

 

While base bands are fixed, signing bonuses and entry level are negotiable, especially with a competing offer. An offer from another Big 4 firm or an MBB rejection that came close can both improve your KPMG package.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is KPMG consulting a good salary?

 

Yes, KPMG consulting pays a strong salary, especially relative to the broader job market. Entry-level pay of $80,000 to $100,000 and Director pay of $250,000 to $360,000 place KPMG consultants well above median US earnings. It pays less than MBB but offers solid compensation with better work-life balance.

 

Does KPMG pay more than Deloitte?

 

No, KPMG generally pays slightly less than Deloitte at most levels. The difference is modest at entry level, often a few thousand dollars, and widens a bit at senior levels. Both firms pay in a similar band well below MBB.

 

How much does a KPMG consultant make per hour?

 

A KPMG consultant earns roughly $40 to $65 per hour based on base salary alone. Entry-level Associates land near the lower end, while Senior Consultants reach the higher end. This excludes bonuses, which raise effective hourly pay further.

 

Does KPMG give signing bonuses?

 

Yes, KPMG offers signing bonuses, most commonly to MBA and experienced hires. These typically range from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on level and practice. Undergraduate hires receive them less often.

 

How much does KPMG pay post-MBA?

 

Post-MBA hires at KPMG typically earn $150,000 to $165,000 in first-year total compensation in core advisory. In Deal Advisory and Strategy, that figure rises to $185,000 to $200,000. This compares to roughly $192,000 at MBB firms.

 

Is KPMG salary negotiable?

 

KPMG base salary bands are mostly fixed by level and office, so there is limited room to negotiate the base itself. Signing bonuses and your entry level are more negotiable, particularly with a competing offer. The biggest lever is the level you enter at.

 

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