Big 4 Accounting Firms Salary: Pay by Role and Career Growth

Landing a role at one of the Big 4 accounting firms, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, is a major milestone for aspiring accountants and consultants. Beyond prestige and training, compensation is often the biggest factor candidates weigh. The Big 4 accounting firms salary ranges are competitive across audit, tax, advisory, and consulting, with variation by location and career stage. From entry-level pay to the highly lucrative Big 4 partner salary, understanding how compensation grows is key to planning your career path.

In this article, we will explore Big 4 salaries by level, role, and city, compare differences across firms, and highlight career considerations beyond pay.

TL;DR - What You Need to Know

• The Big 4 accounting firms salary ranges from $55,000 for associates to $390,000+ for directors, with partners earning $250,000 to $5 million.
• Consulting roles pay the most, while audit and tax salaries start lower, showing function is more important than the firm.
• The starting salary at Big 4 firms is $55,000 to $70,000 in audit and tax, and $85,000 to $90,000 in consulting.
• Salary progression is structured, with steady raises every 2 to 3 years from associate to senior manager and director levels.
• Since pay is similar across firms, prioritize career opportunities and cultural fit when choosing between Big 4 offers.

What is the salary at Big 4 accounting firms?

The Big 4 accounting firms salary typically ranges from about $55,000 at the entry-level to more than $390,000 for senior leadership roles. Pay varies by practice area such as audit, tax, advisory, and consulting, as well as by location, with consulting positions and major financial centers offering the highest salaries.

Big 4 salaries differ most across practice lines:

• Audit and assurance: Entry-level salaries around $55,000 to $65,000, with slower progression compared to other areas.
• Tax: Starts slightly higher, generally between $60,000 and $70,000.
• Advisory (non-consulting): Mid-range compensation, from $70,000 to $90,000.
• Consulting: The highest starting pay, typically $85,000 to $90,000, with larger jumps at senior levels.

For example, an associate in New York may earn 10 to 20 percent more than peers in Dallas or Seattle due to cost-of-living adjustments. This same pattern holds true at higher levels, where managers and directors in major financial hubs command a significant premium.

Overall, salaries are consistent across the Big 4 firms, but your function and office location will determine your earning potential.

Which Big 4 accounting firm pays the most?

Among the Big 4, salary levels are nearly identical, but location and role matter more than the firm itself. Consulting roles generally pay the highest, followed by advisory, tax, and audit. While small differences exist, no single Big 4 accounting firm consistently pays more across all positions.

In practice, the pay you receive depends on your chosen service line and city:

• Consulting associates typically start at $85,000 to $90,000, the highest among entry-level roles.
• Advisory professionals average $70,000 to $90,000 depending on specialization.
• Tax associates usually earn around $60,000 to $70,000.
• Audit associates tend to start at $55,000 to $65,000.

For example, a consulting associate in New York at one Big 4 firm will likely earn more than an audit associate in Chicago, even if employed at a different Big 4 firm. Salaries across Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG track each other closely, making function and geography the decisive factors.

What is the starting salary at Big 4 firms?

The starting salary at Big 4 firms usually ranges from $55,000 to $70,000 in audit and tax, and from $70,000 to $90,000 in advisory and consulting. Pay at entry-level also varies by city, with higher compensation in financial hubs like New York and Chicago compared to smaller markets.

Here’s how starting salaries typically compare:

• Audit associates: $55,000 to $65,000 depending on city.
• Tax associates: $60,000 to $70,000.
• Advisory associates: $70,000 to $85,000.
• Consulting associates: $85,000 to $90,000, the top tier at entry-level.

Students entering Big 4 roles often see consulting and advisory pay at least 15 to 20 percent higher than audit positions. In addition, cost-of-living adjustments mean offices in New York, San Francisco, or Chicago tend to offer the highest starting salaries, while cities with lower living costs pay slightly less.

How does Big 4 salary progression work by level?

Big 4 salary progression increases steadily as you advance from associate to managing director, with significant jumps at each promotion. Entry-level associates earn around $55,000 to $90,000, managers average $110,000 to $160,000, and senior leaders can exceed $300,000, making career advancement the key driver of earnings growth.

Typical progression looks like this:

• Associates: $55,000 to $90,000 depending on role and location.
• Senior Associates: $75,000 to $115,000.
• Managers: $110,000 to $160,000.
• Senior Managers: $140,000 to $220,000.
• Managing Directors: $230,000 to $390,000.

Progression speed varies, but many professionals advance every 2 to 3 years, with consulting and advisory often offering faster raises than audit or tax. Salary progression at Big 4 firms is designed to reward performance, specialization, and long-term retention.

What do Big 4 partners earn?

The Big 4 partner salary ranges widely, from about $250,000 to over $5 million annually, depending on seniority, equity share, and office location. Unlike fixed salaries at junior levels, partner compensation is heavily tied to firm performance, practice revenue, and individual contribution to business growth.

Partner pay structure usually includes:

• Base compensation: Typically starts around $250,000 to $400,000.
• Profit sharing: The largest component, with equity shares significantly raising earnings.
• Bonuses: Linked to performance, often six figures for high performers.

It generally takes 13 to 17 years to reach partnership. While only a small percentage of professionals achieve this level, those who do see compensation that far exceeds manager or director levels.

What do Big 4 partners earn?

The Big 4 partner salary ranges widely, from about $250,000 to over $5 million annually, depending on seniority, equity share, and office location. Unlike fixed salaries at junior levels, partner compensation is heavily tied to firm performance, practice revenue, and individual contribution to business growth.

Partner pay structure usually includes:

• Base compensation: Typically starts around $250,000 to $400,000.
• Profit sharing: The largest component, with equity shares significantly raising earnings.
• Bonuses: Linked to performance, often six figures for high performers.

It generally takes 13 to 17 years to reach partnership. While only a small percentage of professionals achieve this level, those who do see compensation that far exceeds manager or director levels.

What factors influence Big 4 salaries by city?

Big 4 salaries vary by city due to cost of living, local demand for services, and competition for talent. For example, starting salaries in New York and San Francisco are often 15 to 20 percent higher than in Dallas or Seattle, even for the same role and level.

Key factors include:

• Cost of living: Higher salaries in expensive cities like New York and San Francisco.
• Regional demand: Offices with strong consulting practices may pay more than those focused on audit.
• Competition for talent: Markets with heavy finance or tech presence often raise pay to attract candidates.

These variations mean two associates at the same Big 4 firm can earn very different compensation packages depending on their office location.

Which Big 4 firm offers the best career opportunities?

The best career opportunities at Big 4 firms depend on your goals rather than salary alone. All four firms provide strong training, global mobility, and respected exit opportunities, but differences exist in practice strengths, industry focus, and international reach that may influence your choice.

Factors to compare:

• Practice strengths: Some firms excel in consulting, others in audit or tax.
• Global exposure: Larger offices offer international projects and faster promotion tracks.
• Exit opportunities: Advisory and consulting experience often leads to corporate strategy, finance, or MBB roles.
• Culture and fit: Team dynamics and mentoring vary between firms.

Choosing the right firm for career opportunities requires balancing compensation with alignment to your long-term aspirations.

Should you choose fit or compensation when joining Big 4?

You should prioritize cultural fit and long-term growth over minor salary differences when choosing among Big 4 firms. Since compensation is largely consistent, the people you work with, mentorship opportunities, and team environment will have the greatest impact on your career satisfaction.

Why fit matters more:

• Team culture: Supportive colleagues can improve learning and work-life balance.
• Mentorship: Strong managers accelerate development beyond salary raises.
• Long-term retention: Feeling valued reduces attrition more than compensation alone.

While salary is important, your fit with the firm ultimately drives both professional success and personal fulfillment.

Landing a role at the Big 4 offers more than just strong pay, it provides training, brand prestige, and career opportunities that extend far beyond accounting. While the Big 4 accounting firms salary is competitive across roles, what truly sets these firms apart is the chance to grow quickly, gain global exposure, and unlock respected exit paths. Whether you start in audit, tax, advisory, or consulting, your long-term success depends on both performance and cultural fit. By weighing salary alongside personal goals, you can choose the path that maximizes both compensation and career fulfillment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do Big 4 firms offer signing bonuses?
A: Yes, Big 4 firms often offer signing bonuses, especially for consulting and advisory roles. While not guaranteed, bonuses can supplement the entry level Big 4 salary and help attract top candidates in competitive markets.

Q: What exit opportunities exist after Big 4?
A: Exit opportunities after Big 4 include roles in corporate finance, investment banking, private equity, and Fortune 500 companies. Many professionals leverage Big 4 salary progression and brand reputation to transition into leadership positions or specialized accounting careers.

Q: What's the work-life balance like at Big 4?
A: Work-life balance at Big 4 can be demanding, with long hours during busy seasons. However, compensation by location, strong training, and career growth opportunities often offset the challenges, making the Big 4 accounting career path attractive to many.

Q: Is being a partner at Big 4 worth it?
A: Being a partner at Big 4 is often considered worth it for those seeking prestige, influence, and high compensation. The Big 4 partner salary can reach into the millions, though it comes with significant responsibility and time commitment. 

Q: Will Deloitte pay for an MBA?
A: Deloitte does offer MBA sponsorship for select employees. This benefit can complement Deloitte salary growth and accelerate career advancement, though eligibility depends on performance, role, and business need.