Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: July 8, 2026

 

 

Tier 2 consulting firms are large, highly respected consultancies like Oliver Wyman, Kearney, LEK, and Roland Berger that sit one step below McKinsey, BCG, and Bain in prestige while paying $80K to $115K to start and accepting 5 to 15% of applicants. This guide ranks the top 12 tier 2 firms and shows you how they compare to MBB on salary, selectivity, and exit opportunities, plus exactly how to get hired.

 

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Key Takeaways

 

Tier 2 consulting firms are globally successful consultancies that rank just below McKinsey, BCG, and Bain in prestige but rival them in the quality of clients, training, and career outcomes.

 

• The top firms include Oliver Wyman, Kearney, LEK, Roland Berger, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Deloitte S&O, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, ZS Associates, AlixPartners, and Simon-Kucher

 

• Entry-level pay runs $80K to $115K for undergrads and $150K to $180K for MBAs, based on Glassdoor and LinkedIn data reviewed in 2026

 

• Acceptance rates of 5 to 15% make these firms far more accessible than MBB at 1 to 3%

 

• Their biggest advantages are industry specialization, earlier client exposure, and better work-life balance

 

• Interviews follow the same case and fit format as MBB, so prepare with the same rigor

 

What Changed in 2026?

 

In this July 2026 update, we added two new firm profiles (AlixPartners and Simon-Kucher), bringing the rankings to 12 firms. We also added a Key Takeaways summary, a section on choosing between MBB and tier 2, and five tips for landing a tier 2 offer. All salary figures were re-verified against July 2026 Glassdoor and Levels.fyi data.

 

What Are Tier 2 Consulting Firms?

 

Tier 2 consulting firms are large, successful management consulting companies that fall one step below McKinsey, Bain, and BCG in prestige and brand recognition. They serve Fortune 500 clients globally, pay competitive salaries, and accept roughly 5 to 15% of applicants. Examples include Oliver Wyman, Kearney, LEK, Roland Berger, and Strategy&.

 

The label "tier 2" does not mean these firms are small. Accenture, for example, employs over 750,000 people and generates more revenue than any MBB firm. The tier classification primarily reflects prestige and the type of strategic work the firm is best known for, not size.

 

Many tier 2 firms do the same strategy, operations, and M&A work that MBB firms handle. However, MBB firms tend to dominate the highest-profile, CEO-level strategy engagements. Tier 2 firms frequently have deeper specializations in specific industries or functional areas that make them the preferred choice for certain clients.

 

 

How Are Consulting Firms Classified?

 

There is no official industry body that assigns tiers. The classification is based on reputation, selectivity, salary levels, and the types of projects each firm is known for. Here is how the consulting industry breaks down:

 

Tier	Firms	Known For
MBB (Tier 1)	McKinsey, BCG, Bain	Highest-prestige global strategy work, CEO-level engagements, 1 to 3% acceptance rates
Tier 2	Oliver Wyman, Kearney, LEK, Roland Berger, Strategy&, EY-Parthenon, Deloitte S&O, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, ZS Associates, AlixPartners, Simon-Kucher	Industry-specialized strategy and operations, 5 to 15% acceptance rates, strong regional presence
Big Four	Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG	Broad professional services including audit, tax, technology, and consulting. Largest firms by total revenue and headcount.
Boutique	Varies widely	Deep niche expertise in one industry or function. Smaller teams, fewer offices, highly specialized engagements.

 

Note that Deloitte and EY appear in both the Big Four and tier 2 lists. That is because their strategy consulting arms (Deloitte S&O and EY-Parthenon) compete directly with MBB on strategy work, even though the broader firms are categorized as Big Four.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, boutique consulting firms specialize in a single industry, function, or region with far smaller teams. Tier 2 firms sit in the middle: more specialized than MBB but with far greater scale and breadth than boutiques.

 

How Do Tier 2 Firms Compare to MBB?

 

The biggest differences between tier 2 consulting firms and MBB come down to five factors: prestige, salary, selectivity, specialization, and work-life balance. Based on my experience at Bain and coaching candidates at both tiers, here is a direct comparison.

 

Factor	MBB (Tier 1)	Tier 2 Firms
Prestige	Highest in consulting. Universally recognized brand names.	Highly respected, especially within their specialty industries.
Entry-Level Salary (Undergrad)	$110K to $120K base plus bonus	$80K to $115K base plus bonus
Entry-Level Salary (MBA)	$190K to $195K base plus bonus	$150K to $180K base plus bonus
Acceptance Rate	1 to 3% of applicants	5 to 15% of applicants
Work Focus	Generalist high-level strategy across all industries	Industry-specialized strategy, operations, and implementation
Work-Life Balance	Demanding. Weeks of 55 to 70+ hours are common.	Still demanding but generally 50 to 60 hour weeks. Less travel at some firms.
Global Offices	65+ countries, 100+ cities	Varies from 20 to 70+ offices depending on the firm
Exit Opportunities	Broadest options across PE, Fortune 500 leadership, startups, and VC	Strong options, especially in the firm's specialty industries

 

Based on Glassdoor and LinkedIn salary data reviewed in 2026, MBB undergrad hires earn roughly $110K to $120K in base salary. Tier 2 firms range more widely. LEK and Oliver Wyman pay at the higher end ($110K+), while Accenture and some Big Four strategy arms start closer to $80K to $100K.

 

Fresh data confirms these ranges hold as you gain experience. Glassdoor data as of July 2026 puts the typical Oliver Wyman consultant total pay between $95K and $171K based on 671 reported salaries, and Levels.fyi data updated in July 2026 shows median total compensation of about $145K for Oliver Wyman management consultants.

 

The acceptance rate gap is significant. Based on publicly reported figures, MBB firms accept about 1 to 3% of applicants while tier 2 firms are more accessible at roughly 5 to 15%. In my experience coaching candidates, a strong tier 2 application requires the same rigor in case interview preparation as an MBB application.

 

What Are the Top Tier 2 Consulting Firms?

 

Below are the twelve most prominent tier 2 consulting firms. For each, I have included key stats, a firm overview, areas of expertise, and cultural highlights based on publicly available information and conversations with consultants at these firms.

 

1. Deloitte (Strategy & Operations)

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

 

• Employees: 415,000+ (firmwide)

 

• Offices: 130+ countries

 

• Website: deloitte.com

 

While Deloitte is the largest Big Four firm by revenue, its Deloitte S&O group competes directly with MBB on high-level strategy work. Deloitte significantly boosted its consulting capabilities by acquiring Monitor Group in 2013. Today, the group handles corporate strategy, M&A, business model transformation, and supply chain projects across nearly every industry.

 

Deloitte's culture emphasizes inclusion, collaboration, and high performance. A unique investment in professional development is Deloitte University, a $300M training facility in Texas where employees gather for skills development and leadership programs.

 

2. Strategy& (PwC)

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: New York, NY

 

• Employees: 3,000+ strategy consultants

 

• Offices: 57 countries

 

• Website: strategyand.pwc.com

 

Strategy& was formerly Booz & Company, which ranked as the number four consulting firm behind MBB before PwC acquired it in 2014. The firm works across six functional areas: corporate strategy, customer strategy, deals, operations, people and organization, and technology strategy. Being part of the PwC network gives consultants access to global resources while maintaining a boutique strategy feel.

 

The firm emphasizes individuality, teamwork, intellectual integrity, and a drive for excellence. Strategy& hosts weekly happy hours and runs a "Common Connections" program for cross-office networking. Consultants typically work slightly fewer hours than MBB peers and report a somewhat better work-life balance.

 

3. LEK Consulting

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: London, England

 

• Employees: 2,200+

 

• Offices: 21 locations globally

 

• Website: lek.com

 

LEK was founded in 1983 by three former Bain partners: James Lawrence, Iain Evans, and Richard Koch. The firm focuses on rigorous data analysis and practical client results across four core practice areas: strategy, marketing and sales, operations, and M&A. LEK is best known for healthcare, life sciences, and private equity due diligence.

 

LEK's core values are intelligence, honesty, diligence, collaboration, and responsibility. The firm gives substantial responsibility to junior consultants early on. LEK employees travel less than consultants at most other firms, which helps foster strong office communities and a healthier work-life balance.

 

4. Oliver Wyman

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: New York, NY

 

• Employees: 7,000+

 

• Offices: 70+ in 30 countries

 

• Website: oliverwyman.com

 

Oliver Wyman was founded in 1984, with two of its founders, Alex Oliver and Bill Wyman, coming from Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, Oliver Wyman is a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan and one of the fastest growing consulting firms. It services nearly all industries but is best known for financial services, including retail banking, wealth management, insurance, and risk management.

 

Oliver Wyman looks for driven, innovative employees and values teamwork, mutual respect, and the open exchange of ideas. Each new hire gets an advisor and mentor for professional development. The firm works shoulder-to-shoulder with clients on implementation, not just strategy recommendations.

 

5. EY-Parthenon

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Boston, MA

 

• Employees: 9,000+

 

• Offices: 40+ countries

 

• Website: ey.com/en_us/strategy

 

EY-Parthenon began as Parthenon, a specialty strategy boutique founded in 1991 by two former Bain consultants and acquired by Ernst & Young in 2014. The firm works across consumer products, education, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, media, and technology. Private equity due diligence is a major focus area.

 

The firm has an entrepreneurial, collegial, and transparent work culture with intensive training for new hires. Because of its large private equity practice, employees typically travel less than consultants at other firms. This fosters a tight-knit office culture.

 

6. Accenture (Strategy)

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

 

• Employees: 750,000+ (firmwide)

 

• Offices: 200+ cities in 120+ countries

 

• Website: accenture.com

 

Accenture is primarily a technology consulting and integration firm, but its strategy division does work similar to MBB, focusing on CEO-agenda strategy, digital transformation, and operating model design. Its projects tend to be more operations and technology focused, covering efficiency, cost reduction, analytics, and change management. The firm's massive global footprint means it can take a project from strategy through implementation, and it counts most of the Fortune Global 100 as clients.

 

Given Accenture's size, there is no single unified culture across the entire organization. However, Accenture Strategy maintains a more consulting-like feel with smaller teams of well-rounded, outgoing, and collegial consultants. The firm invests heavily in training through programs like Accenture Connected Learning.

 

7. Kearney

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Chicago, IL

 

• Employees: 5,700+

 

• Offices: 40+ countries

 

• Website: kearney.com

 

Kearney has nearly a century of history, having split from McKinsey in 1939 when founder Andrew Thomas Kearney went independent. The firm is widely considered the best procurement, sourcing, and operations consulting firm in the world. It also does marketing and sales, M&A, organizational transformation, and corporate strategy work across nearly every industry.

 

Kearney has a collegial, down-to-earth culture where employees are known for helping each other out. The core values are collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit. However, work-life balance can be tough due to a Sunday-through-Friday travel schedule at some offices, which leads to longer weeks than some peer firms.

 

8. Roland Berger

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Munich, Germany

 

• Employees: 3,000+

 

• Offices: 50+ in 35 countries

 

• Website: rolandberger.com

 

Roland Berger was founded in 1967 and quickly became the largest consulting firm in Germany. The firm rejected acquisition offers from both Deloitte (2010) and EY (2013), choosing to remain independent. It has a dominant presence in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is best known for serving automotive, capital goods, energy, chemicals, and transportation clients.

 

Roland Berger's three core values are entrepreneurship, excellence, and empathy. The firm hosts Friday get-togethers to discuss business developments and exchange news. Individual offices maintain their own traditions including office lunches, after-work events, and sports clubs.

 

9. Booz Allen Hamilton

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: McLean, VA

 

• Employees: 35,000+

 

• Offices: 80+ locations globally

 

• Website: boozallen.com

 

Booz Allen Hamilton was founded in 1914, making it one of the oldest consulting firms in the world. The firm is uniquely focused on serving government clients in defense, intelligence, and civil sectors, and according to Vault's 2024 rankings, it is the number one firm for public sector consulting. Its strengths are cybersecurity, digital transformation, advanced analytics, AI, and defense consulting.

 

Booz Allen's culture revolves around mission-driven work, and consultants tend to be motivated by public service and national security impact. The firm offers competitive benefits including strong retirement plans. Security clearance opportunities open unique career paths unavailable at other consulting firms.

 

10. ZS Associates

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Evanston, IL

 

• Employees: 13,000+

 

• Offices: 35 locations worldwide

 

• Website: zs.com

 

ZS Associates was founded in 1983 by two professors from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. The firm specializes in sales and marketing strategy, commercial effectiveness, pricing, and data analytics. While ZS works across consumer goods, financial services, and technology, it is especially dominant in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, where it is a go-to advisor for sales force effectiveness.

 

ZS has a collaborative, analytically oriented culture that attracts employees who enjoy working at the intersection of data science and business strategy. The firm invests heavily in proprietary technology platforms. This gives consultants access to advanced analytical tools that most competitors lack.

 

11. AlixPartners

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: New York, NY

 

• Employees: 3,500+

 

• Offices: 20+ cities worldwide

 

• Website: alixpartners.com

 

AlixPartners was founded in 1981 by Jay Alix and pioneered the concept of the Chief Restructuring Officer, which is now an industry standard. The firm is the leading name in turnaround and restructuring consulting, having worked on landmark cases like General Motors, Kodak, and Enron. It also does performance improvement, M&A, and digital work across automotive, retail, energy, healthcare, and financial services.

 

AlixPartners has a senior-led, results-driven culture built around high-stakes client situations. One thing to know: the firm skews heavily toward experienced hires and rarely recruits directly from undergraduate campuses. Pay for those experienced hires ranks among the highest outside MBB.

 

12. Simon-Kucher

 

Key Stats

 

• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany

 

• Employees: 2,600+

 

• Offices: 30 countries

 

• Website: simon-kucher.com

 

Simon-Kucher was founded in Germany in 1985 and is widely regarded as the world's leading pricing consultancy. The firm focuses on pricing, marketing, and sales strategy, helping clients optimize revenue and market positioning. It works across many industries but is particularly known for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and medical technology clients.

 

Simon-Kucher has a data-driven, entrepreneurial culture with a strong European heritage and a growing US presence. Consultants develop rare functional depth in pricing early in their careers. That expertise is highly valued by clients and future employers alike.

 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Working at a Tier 2 Firm?

 

Tier 2 consulting firms offer many of the same benefits as MBB while having some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here is an honest breakdown based on my experience advising candidates on both paths.

 

Pros	Cons
Higher acceptance rates (5 to 15%) make them more accessible	Lower overall brand prestige than MBB
Deep industry specializations can make you a sought-after expert	Lower starting salaries at some firms ($80K to $100K vs $110K+ at MBB)
Generally better work-life balance with less travel	Narrower range of high-profile strategy engagements
Faster path to responsibility on projects	Smaller alumni networks than MBB
Excellent professional development and training	Some firms have less structured career progression
Competitive compensation with good benefits	Exit opportunities may be more concentrated in the firm's specialty areas

 

One underrated advantage of tier 2 firms is the level of client exposure junior consultants receive. At MBB, junior team members sometimes work on narrow analytical workstreams. At many tier 2 firms, you interact directly with clients earlier in your career.

 

Should You Choose MBB or a Tier 2 Consulting Firm?

 

Choose MBB if you hold offers from both and want the broadest possible career optionality, and choose a tier 2 firm if you already know the industry you want to build your career in. The MBB brand opens more doors across private equity and Fortune 500 leadership, but a tier 2 firm with deep expertise in your target sector can get you further, faster, within that sector.

 

Here's an example. If you want a career in supply chain leadership, three years at Kearney will teach you more about operations and make you more credible to hiring managers than three years of generalist work at MBB.

 

For most candidates, though, this is not an either-or decision. Having reviewed thousands of applications, I recommend applying to MBB and 4 to 6 tier 2 firms in the same recruiting cycle. The preparation overlaps almost entirely, and a tier 2 offer in hand takes enormous pressure off your MBB interviews.

 

What Are the Exit Opportunities from Tier 2 Consulting Firms?

 

Exit opportunities from tier 2 firms are strong, though they tend to be concentrated in the industries where each firm specializes. According to LinkedIn data, the most common consulting exit opportunities for tier 2 consultants include corporate strategy roles, industry leadership positions, private equity, and startups.

 

The patterns follow each firm's specialty. Oliver Wyman alumni frequently move into senior roles in financial services and insurance, LEK consultants often exit into healthcare and private equity portfolio companies, and Kearney alumni are highly valued in supply chain and operations leadership. Booz Allen Hamilton consultants frequently transition into senior government positions or defense contractors.

 

MBB alumni have the broadest set of exit opportunities because their brand opens doors across all industries. But if you know you want to build a career in a specific sector, a tier 2 firm with deep expertise in that sector can actually be a better springboard.

 

How Do You Get Hired at a Tier 2 Consulting Firm?

 

The hiring process at tier 2 consulting firms closely mirrors the MBB process. You will submit a resume, pass screening interviews, and face multiple rounds of case interviews and behavioral interviews. Based on my experience interviewing candidates, here is what to expect.

 

What Does the Interview Process Look Like?

 

Most tier 2 firms follow a two-round interview structure. The first round typically includes one to two case interviews plus a behavioral or fit interview. If you advance, the final round adds two to three more case interviews and deeper behavioral questions with senior partners.

 

Case interviews at tier 2 firms follow the same format as MBB: market sizing, profitability analysis, market entry, M&A, and pricing cases. Some firms add industry-specific cases. Oliver Wyman may present financial services scenarios, Kearney may focus on supply chain problems, and LEK often includes healthcare or private equity due diligence cases.

 

If you want to master case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies that work for both MBB and tier 2 firms in as little as 7 days.

 

What Do Tier 2 Firms Look for in Candidates?

 

Tier 2 consulting firms look for the same core qualities as MBB: structured thinking, strong quantitative skills, clear communication, and leadership potential. However, tier 2 firms place additional weight on industry knowledge and cultural fit.

 

Having coached hundreds of candidates, I have noticed that tier 2 firms are more likely to probe why you want to work at their specific firm rather than at MBB. You need a genuine, specific answer. Saying you want Oliver Wyman because of their financial services expertise is far more compelling than saying you just want to be a consultant.

 

Strong candidates typically have a solid undergraduate or MBA degree, relevant internship or work experience, and demonstrated problem-solving ability. Quantitative backgrounds in finance, engineering, economics, or data science are valued. Most tier 2 firms recruit from a similar set of target schools as MBB, though they often extend their recruiting to a broader set of universities.

 

What Are the Best Tips for Landing a Tier 2 Consulting Offer?

 

There are five things that consistently separate candidates who land tier 2 offers from those who fall short. Each one takes deliberate effort, but none requires a perfect resume or a target school pedigree.

 

Tip #1: Nail your "why this firm" answer

 

Tier 2 interviewers are alert to candidates treating their firm as an MBB backup. If they sense you would drop them for a McKinsey offer, you will not advance. Build a specific answer around the firm's specialty, the people you have met there, and the type of work you want to do.

 

Tip #2: Show real knowledge of the firm's specialty industry

 

If you are applying to LEK, know the basics of healthcare and private equity. If you are applying to Kearney, understand supply chain fundamentals. Referencing a recent industry development in your interview signals genuine interest that most candidates never demonstrate.

 

Tip #3: Network your way to a referral before you apply

 

A referral from a current consultant dramatically increases your odds of landing an interview. Reach out to alumni from your school or professionals with shared backgrounds, and ask for a 20-minute conversation. Most tier 2 firms have formal consulting referral programs that reward employees for recommending strong candidates.

 

Tip #4: Prepare for industry-specific cases

 

Standard case prep covers 80% of what you will face, but the remaining 20% comes from each firm's specialty. Practice a few healthcare cases before an LEK interview, a pricing case before Simon-Kucher, and an operations case before Kearney. The key is to learn the vocabulary and typical economics of that industry.

 

Tip #5: Apply to a portfolio of firms, not just one

 

Even at a 15% acceptance rate, any single application is more likely to fail than succeed. Applying to 6 to 8 firms across tiers turns unfavorable odds on one application into strong odds of at least one offer. Competing offers also give you real negotiating power on signing bonuses and start dates.

 

Tier 2 consulting firms offer elite training, strong pay, and specialist expertise that can accelerate your career just as effectively as MBB. The single most important action you can take is to start practicing case interviews now, because that one skill decides who gets the offer at every firm on this list.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is it worth working at a tier 2 consulting firm?

 

Yes. Tier 2 consulting firms offer competitive salaries, excellent training, strong exit opportunities, and deep industry expertise. Many consultants build entire careers at tier 2 firms and reach senior partner levels. Others use the experience as a launchpad into industry, private equity, or even MBB.

 

Can you move from a tier 2 consulting firm to MBB?

 

It is possible but requires exceptional performance, strong case interview skills, and a solid professional network. The most common path for moving from tier 2 to MBB is to perform well for two to three years and then apply as an experienced hire. A strong referral from an MBB consultant significantly increases your chances.

 

What is the salary at tier 2 consulting firms?

 

Entry-level salaries at tier 2 firms range from roughly $80,000 to $115,000 for undergrad hires and $150,000 to $180,000 for MBA hires, based on Glassdoor and LinkedIn data reviewed in 2026. LEK and Oliver Wyman tend to pay at the higher end, while Accenture and some Big Four strategy arms start lower. Total compensation including bonuses narrows the gap with MBB.

 

What is the acceptance rate at tier 2 consulting firms?

 

Tier 2 consulting firms accept approximately 5 to 15% of applicants, compared to 1 to 3% at MBB. These rates vary by firm, office, and year. While more accessible than MBB, tier 2 firms are still highly selective and require thorough interview preparation.

 

Which tier 2 consulting firm is the most prestigious?

 

This depends on the industry. For financial services, Oliver Wyman is widely considered the most prestigious tier 2 firm. For operations and supply chain, Kearney leads, while for healthcare and life sciences, LEK and ZS Associates are top choices. For restructuring, AlixPartners stands out, and for government consulting, Booz Allen Hamilton is the clear leader.

 

What is the difference between tier 1 and tier 2 consulting firms?

 

Tier 1 refers to McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, which lead the industry in prestige, generalist strategy work, and salaries. Tier 2 firms like Oliver Wyman, Kearney, and LEK are still elite but tend to specialize in specific industries or functions. Tier 1 firms accept 1 to 3% of applicants while tier 2 firms accept 5 to 15%, and tier 1 entry-level pay runs about $10,000 to $30,000 higher.

 

Are the Big Four consulting firms considered tier 2?

 

The Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) are generally classified separately from tier 2 because they are primarily known as accounting and professional services firms. However, their strategy consulting divisions, such as Deloitte S&O, Strategy& (PwC), and EY-Parthenon, compete directly with tier 2 and even MBB firms on strategy work.

 

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