A pay cut is possible when moving from industry into consulting, especially when changing level or compensation structure.

Compare base salary, annual bonus, signing bonus, benefits, travel costs and realistic hours, not just the advertised headline number.

A higher consulting base can still yield less total compensation if you lose a large industry bonus or equity vesting. Compare the likely payout dates of bonuses and vesting as well as their headline values; timing can change the economics.

Compare what you will actually receive over the next two years, including vesting dates and any bonus you would lose on departure. The management consultant salary breakdown is a useful starting point for identifying compensation components before you compare real offers.

My current bonus makes the comparison a lot less straightforward.

I hadn't thought to include unvested equity.

I lost sight of a deferred bonus when I compared two offers last year.

Has anyone compared lost equity against the consulting signing bonus before switching?