Compare total compensation, not only base salary. Post-MBA consulting packages commonly include base pay, performance bonus, signing bonus and sometimes relocation or other one-time support.

The exact package varies by firm, office, country and recruiting year. Taxes and cost of living can also change the real value of two offers that look similar on paper.

Look at guaranteed first-year cash separately from variable compensation. A large signing bonus may make year one look unusually strong, while long-term economics depend more on recurring base, performance bonus and promotion progression.

Also value non-cash factors such as retirement contributions, health benefits, travel programs and tuition-related obligations if applicable. Use the written offer for the final comparison rather than relying on older compensation posts. For more detail, see the management consultant salary guide.

The signing bonus made my first-year number look huge, but the recurring comp was the better comparison.

Cost of living changed my ranking of two offices more than the nominal salary difference.

I found that second-years who had just gone through the same process gave much better context than generic online advice.