KPMG Consulting Salary Guide with Pay by Level and Role

Key Insights:

• The KPMG consulting intern salary ranges from $50,000 to $74,000 annually, with most pay coming from base salary and modest performance bonuses.
• KPMG consultants and associates earn between $68,000 and $130,000, with consultants paid about 30% more due to client-facing responsibilities.
• The KPMG senior consultant salary averages $104,000 to $143,000, reflecting leadership of workstreams and advanced client responsibilities.
• KPMG consulting managers make $149,000 to $223,000, with compensation including base pay, bonuses, and additional profit sharing.
• The KPMG director salary can reach $400,000, positioning directors among the highest-paid roles in Big 4 consulting firms.

Curious about the KPMG consulting salary and how it compares across levels? Whether you’re considering an internship, applying as an entry-level consultant, or aiming for a senior consultant salary at KPMG, understanding pay structures is key. Compensation includes base salary, performance bonuses, and additional perks that shape your total package. For candidates weighing KPMG against other Big 4 firms or even MBB, salary insights help clarify career decisions. In this article, we will explore KPMG salaries by role, from interns to directors, and compare them with other top consulting firms.

What is the KPMG consulting intern salary?

The KPMG consulting intern salary ranges from $50,000 to $74,000 annually on an adjusted basis, combining base pay and performance bonuses. This structure helps early-career candidates understand the KPMG consultant salary progression from internship to full-time roles.

Intern compensation is reported as annualized to provide a fair comparison across firms and roles. Typical components include:

• Base salary: $47,000 to $70,000
• Performance bonus: up to $4,000
• Total annualized salary: $50,000 to $74,000

Most of the pay comes from base salary, with bonuses being relatively modest. Unlike senior positions, interns do not usually receive stock or profit sharing.

Compared with MBB firms, KPMG’s base pay is competitive, even if additional compensation is smaller. For aspiring consultants, this makes an internship at KPMG a strong entry point with professional development and the potential to secure a return offer.

How much do KPMG consultants and associates earn?

KPMG consultants earn between $91,000 and $130,000 per year, while associates typically make $68,000 to $97,000. This difference reflects the client-facing responsibilities of consultants versus the support-focused role of associates, helping candidates evaluate where they may start on the KPMG consulting salary track.

At the entry level, compensation generally looks like this:

• Associate base salary: $65,000 to $91,000
• Associate performance bonus: $3,000 to $6,000
• Total associate salary: $68,000 to $97,000
• Consultant base salary: $87,000 to $121,000
• Consultant performance bonus: $5,000 to $9,000
• Total consultant salary: $91,000 to $130,000

Associates often support case analysis and internal tasks, while consultants work directly with clients. The pay difference of roughly 30% reflects this increased responsibility.

When compared with MBB firms, KPMG consultants may earn similar base salaries but generally receive smaller performance bonuses. Still, the role offers strong career progression and valuable client exposure for those beginning their consulting journey.

What is the KPMG senior consultant salary?

The KPMG senior consultant salary typically ranges from $104,000 to $143,000 annually, while senior associates earn between $95,000 and $132,000. These figures combine base pay and performance bonuses, showing only a modest increase from junior consultant levels but reflecting greater client leadership responsibilities.

Here’s a typical salary breakdown:

• Senior associate base salary: $91,000 to $124,000
• Senior associate performance bonus: $4,000 to $8,000
• Total senior associate salary: $95,000 to $132,000
• Senior consultant base salary: $98,000 to $132,000
• Senior consultant performance bonus: $6,000 to $11,000
• Total senior consultant salary: $104,000 to $143,000

The difference between senior associates and senior consultants is smaller than the gap between associates and consultants. Both roles involve advanced analysis and client interaction, though senior consultants often lead workstreams.

Compared with McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, KPMG senior consultants earn similar base salaries but receive smaller bonuses. Still, for many professionals, KPMG offers valuable leadership experience and a clear career path toward manager-level roles.

How much do KPMG consulting managers make?

KPMG consulting managers typically earn between $149,000 and $223,000 annually, including base pay, performance bonuses, and other compensation. This range positions managers at KPMG close to senior consultant levels at MBB firms, reflecting both leadership responsibilities and growing business development expectations.

A typical manager package includes:

• Base salary: $117,000 to $163,000
• Performance bonus: up to $17,000
• Other compensation (profit sharing, allowances): up to $43,000
• Total annual salary: $149,000 to $223,000

At this stage, compensation expands beyond salary and bonus, often linking to firm performance or project profitability. Managers oversee multiple workstreams, guide junior consultants, and contribute to client relationships.

While KPMG’s base salary is competitive with peers, the additional pay is often smaller compared with McKinsey, BCG, or Bain. However, for many professionals, the manager role offers a strong balance of compensation, leadership development, and long-term career growth.

What is the salary of a KPMG consulting director?

The KPMG consulting director salary ranges from $247,000 to $400,000 annually, including base pay, performance bonuses, and additional compensation. This level represents one of the highest salaries within KPMG consulting, reflecting leadership of large client accounts and significant responsibility for firm growth.

A typical director compensation package includes:

• Base salary: $152,000 to $222,000
• Performance bonus: up to $42,000
• Other compensation (profit sharing, allowances, benefits): up to $136,000
• Total annual salary: $247,000 to $400,000

Directors are top-level leaders who manage multiple projects, drive business development, and mentor senior consultants and managers. At this stage, total pay depends heavily on firm performance and individual contributions to revenue.

Compared with MBB firms, KPMG directors usually earn lower overall compensation, largely because MBB partners receive larger profit-sharing and stock options. Still, the director role at KPMG offers a prestigious leadership position with a strong mix of compensation, influence, and long-term career impact.

What is the highest salary at KPMG consulting?

The highest salary at KPMG consulting can exceed $400,000 annually at the director level, with total pay influenced by base salary, performance bonuses, and profit sharing. In rare cases, senior leaders or partners may earn higher, depending on business generation and long-term firm contributions.

At the upper end, compensation components include:

• Base salary: up to $222,000
• Performance bonus: up to $42,000
• Other compensation (profit sharing, allowances, benefits): up to $136,000
• Total annual salary: $247,000 to $400,000+

This represents the peak of non-partner roles, where pay is tied closely to performance and client revenue. While MBB partners often report higher totals, KPMG directors still rank among the best-paid professionals in the Big 4.

Do KPMG consultants receive bonuses?

Yes, KPMG consultants receive performance bonuses that typically range from $3,000 to $17,000 annually depending on role and level. While smaller than base salary, bonuses reward strong client performance, project delivery, and contribution to firm success, forming an important part of total compensation.

Bonus amounts vary by position:

• Associates: $3,000 to $6,000
• Consultants: $5,000 to $9,000
• Senior consultants: $6,000 to $11,000
• Managers: up to $17,000
• Directors: up to $42,000

Although KPMG’s bonus structure is modest compared with MBB firms, it still provides meaningful upside alongside a stable base salary. These bonuses also incentivize consultants to contribute effectively to both client impact and firm growth.

How does KPMG consulting salary compare with other Big 4 firms?

KPMG consulting salary is competitive within the Big 4, though often slightly lower than Deloitte or PwC in total compensation. Base salaries are similar across firms, but bonuses and additional pay at Deloitte and PwC can be higher, while EY tends to align more closely with KPMG ranges.

Key comparisons include:

• Entry-level consultants: KPMG salaries align with Deloitte and PwC but may trail in bonuses.
• Senior consultants: KPMG base pay is similar to EY, though Deloitte often offers higher total packages.
• Managers and directors: KPMG compensation is strong but can lag behind Deloitte, especially in profit sharing.

For candidates, the difference is usually most noticeable in performance bonuses and long-term incentives, rather than base pay. Still, KPMG remains a highly competitive option within the Big 4, especially for those valuing career growth and stability.

Is KPMG a good place to work for consultants?

Yes, KPMG is considered a good place to work for consultants, offering strong career development, diverse client exposure, and competitive compensation. While workload can be demanding, many employees highlight the supportive culture, mentorship opportunities, and global network as key advantages of building a career at KPMG.

Consultants often note several benefits:

• Exposure to a wide range of industries and projects
• Clear promotion paths and skill development programs
• Opportunities to work with global teams
• Competitive pay within the Big 4 consulting market
• Strong emphasis on collaboration and professional growth

Challenges sometimes mentioned include long hours during peak projects and high client expectations. However, for many aspiring consultants, the trade-off is worthwhile given the learning opportunities and prestige of working at a top-tier professional services firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does KPMG Consulting pay well?
A: KPMG Consulting pays well compared to many industries, with a competitive KPMG consulting salary, performance bonus opportunities, and clear progression by level. Total compensation is strong within Big 4 consulting salaries, though often lower than MBB firms.

Q: How hard is it to get into KPMG Consulting?
A: It is hard to get into KPMG Consulting, as the firm seeks strong academics, problem-solving skills, and consulting career path potential. Competition is especially high for MBA consulting salary roles and specialized practice areas.

Q: Which Big 4 firm pays the most?
A: Among Big 4 consulting salaries, pay varies by role and geography, but PwC and Deloitte are often cited in Glassdoor salary data as paying slightly higher than KPMG or EY. However, base salary ranges remain broadly competitive across all four firms.

Q: Is a KPMG Consultant salary negotiable?
A: A KPMG consultant salary can be negotiable in certain cases, especially for MBA hires or experienced candidates. While base salary ranges are standardized, firms may adjust signing bonuses or the total compensation package.

Q: How many hours do KPMG consultants work?
A: KPMG consultants typically work 50 to 60 hours per week, though hours vary by project and client deadlines. Workload can be higher for managers or during peak deliverables, reflecting the demands of the consulting career path.