Many C-suite executives and entrepreneurs began their careers at consulting firms. These companies are more than stepping stones; they’re launching pads. From competitive salaries to mentorship opportunities, these firms offer much more than a paycheck. Big consulting firms also have extremely large and active alumni networks to support you throughout your career. Securing a role with one of these top consulting firms for entry-level employees will play a critical role in your career trajectory.
As you consider a career in consulting, you should also take the time to explore boutique consulting firms. Like selecting a college, not every firm is the best choice for every individual. Large consulting firms often offer access to higher compensation packages, prestigious projects, global networks, extensive training, and diverse career opportunities. However, these firms can also be highly competitive, demanding, and stressful, and you might have less autonomy, flexibility, and impact than in a smaller firm. Travel requirements, salary, culture and hours vary widely from firm to firm, so you’ll want to do your research to find the best fit for your goals and lifestyles. Below is an overview to get you started.
Why Consulting?
Consulting is an ideal starting point for those eager to develop critical thinking, project management, and client-facing skills. Entry-level roles, such as business analysts or associate consultants, allow employees to tackle real-world challenges across various industries. The rigorous training and mentorship programs offered by consulting firms ensure you’re well-equipped to succeed, even as a beginner. Moreover, the connections and credibility gained in consulting can set you up for long-term career growth, whether you stay in the field or pivot to other industries.
Top Consulting Firms for Entry-Level Employees
This month Vault unveiled the 2025 Consulting Rankings, including the new Vault Consulting North America 50, Vault Consulting EMEA 25, and Vault Top Consulting Asia-Pacific. The new rankings have Boston Consulting Group (or BCG) moving into the coveted spot of #1 Best Consulting Firm to Work For in North America. While these rankings and the research behind the rankings can be very helpful as you explore consulting firms, there is not one firm that is the best fit for every individual. Do your research and most importantly, speak to current and former employees. Seek out alumni from your school who currently work at firm and can provide you with an inside view on culture and people.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Along with the #1 ranking for the overall Vault Consulting 50 North America for 2025, BCG also topped the rankings for Best Consulting firms for Benefits, Best Consulting firms for Compensation and Best Consulting Firms for Innovation. If you are looking at a career in consulting and consider yourself a top candidate, you cannot NOT look at BCG. BCG is renowned for its collaborative culture and commitment to innovation. Entry-level roles, including Associate positions, offer salaries starting around $95,000* annually. The firm’s focus on sustainability and cutting-edge technology attracts driven individuals. Notable alumni include Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. BCG’s immersive onboarding program ensures new hires feel supported from day one. Take a moment to explore BCG’s early careers page. For insights from those who have been on the inside, check out Boston Consulting Groups Glassdoor page. The 4.3 rating is significantly higher than the average Glassdoor rating of 3.5
Bain & Company
With a strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee satisfaction, Bain consistently ranks high in workplace culture. Vault ranked Bain #1 among consulting firms for formal training, as well as informal training and mentorship. Bain’s position on Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents™ 2024 and as the number one company on the 2024 Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work is particularly impressive and demonstrates their commitment to culture. Its Associate Consultant roles start at $90,000 annually and include opportunities to work on impactful projects. Many successful leaders, including John Donahue, CEO Nike, and Mitt Romney, have worked at Bain. The company’s “Bain Academy” offers tailored training for career advancement. Explore Bain’s careers page for students. Curious to learn more? Check out this “Day in the Life” LinkedIn post from Anna, A Bain & Company summer associate. The 4.3 rating by insiders on Bain’s Glassdoor page is significantly higher than the average Glassdoor rating of 3.5
McKinsey & Company
Ranked #1 in the category of Most Prestigious Consulting Firms by Vault, McKinsey is synonymous with prestige and impact. Known for shaping business strategies globally, McKinsey also landed the top spot for energy consulting, financial consulting and human resource consulting. McKinsey offers roles such as Business Analyst with an average starting salary of $100,000* per year. Alumni like Sheryl Sandberg, Former COO of Meta/Facebook, and Sundar Pichai – CEO of Google/Alphabet, worked as a management consultant at McKinsey, showcasing McKinsey’s ability to nurture future leaders. McKinsey provides structured learning through its My Learning platform and emphasizes personal development through its mentorship initiatives. Take a look at this “Day in the life” blog and check out McKinsey’s career page for students preparing for their first real job. For more authentic insights check out the reviews and feedback on McKinsey’s Glassdoor page. *Note the 4.1 rating is significantly higher than the average Glassdoor rating of 3.5
KPMG
KPMG puts team members first with the claim that “We are a people business at heart”. As one of the prestigious Big 4 accounting firms, the firm offers entry-level roles in consulting, audit, and advisory with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $130,000. As a global firm, operating in 143 countries and territories with more than 273,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world, KPMG offers exposure to multinational clients and diverse projects. Many leaders and entrepreneurs get their start at KPMG, including serial entrepreneur Mike Chasen, co-founder and former CEO of Blackboard Inc (which he founded with fellow KPMG alum, Matthew Pittinsky. Chasen also co-founded ClassEDU, the maker of Class For Zoom, which aims to improve the effectiveness of Zoom for education. The firm’s structured mentorship and certification support programs are standout benefits. Explore KPMG’s early careers page for pre-internships, internships and permanent opportunities.
Accenture
Part of the prestigious Big 4, Accounting firms and highly ranked on the Fortune Top 100 Places to Work (including the #1 Best Large Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services), Accenture has distinguished itself as a great place to work. While Accenture has slipped out of 2025 Vault Top Ten Consulting firms (now 11), they remain #1 for IT Operations, IT Strategy and data analytics consulting. The global consulting and IT services firm blends technology and consulting, making it ideal for those interested in digital transformation. Entry-level roles include Analyst and Consultant positions with starting salaries of $70,000 to $85,000. Accenture’s innovative work with AI and sustainability attracts forward-thinking individuals. The Accenture Alumni Network is an active group with more than 400,000 alumni in 80+ countries, providing you with a strong network to support you throughout your career. Learn more about careers at Accenture Accenture.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Another of the prestigious Big 4 Accounting Firms, PWC is also a top 10 Consulting firm on the 2025 Vault Rankings. PwC’s Advisory Associate roles start at $85,000 to $125,000* annually. With a focus on technology, risk management, and business transformation, PwC prepares employees for multifaceted careers. The firm offers some interesting development programs to assist students in launching their careers, including the Women’s Consulting Experience, Destination CPA and Internships These early programs have helped develop some extraordinary leaders, including Greg Abel, who will succeed Warren Buffett at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway, Find out more about entry-level roles at PWC.
Deloitte
Deloitte Consulting LLP, the consulting arm of Deloitte was ranks highly on all of the Vault lists, coming in #2 for Human Resources Consulting, Public Sector Consulting, IT Operations Consulting and IT Strategy Consulting. They are ranked for in Prestige and certainly a top company for entry level employees to consider. Along with full time opportunities, Deloitte offers a wealth of conferences and leadership programs, competitions and internships to help kick off your career. Salaries for consultants generally range between $75,000-$125,000* annually. Deloitte’s culture has won numerous awards, including a spot on Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Parents & Women, as well as PEOPLE Magazine’s “100 Companies that Care”. Curious to find out what all this actually looks like? Check out “A Day in the life at Deloitte” on TikTok.
Kearney
Another of Vault’s Top 10 Consulting firms to consider is Kearney. Kearney is a global management consulting firm founded in 1926. Today, Kearney has offices in more than 40 countries worldwide and works with more than three-quarters of the Fortune Global 500, as well as governmental and nonprofit organizations. As a mid-sized firm Kearney offers consultants an attractive mix of flexibility and opportunities. The firm currently has a Glassdoor rating of 4, with an average rating of above 4 for both compensation and career opportunities. Learn more about internships and early career opportunities at Kearney.
Boutique Consulting Firms and Lesser-Known Gems
- LEK Consulting: Ranked #3 for Health Sciences Consulting,, LEK offers competitive salaries and rapid career growth opportunities. Both Vault and Glassdoor clearly acknowledge an intense workload, however if you are a motivated MBA candidate and interested in life sciences, strategy, or retail consulting, check out their summer internship program.
- Trinity Life Sciences– If you are interested in the life sciences space, you will want to check out Trinity. A top ranked company recognized by Vault and Inc. 5000, Trinity has won awards for employee satisfaction and our growth. The company offers great opportunity for growth. As their website shares, more than 36% of the client-facing leadership team joined directly from an undergraduate or advanced degree program. Learn more about early career opportunities at Trinity Life Sciences here
- Alvarez & Marsal: Focused on turnaround management, this firm provides unique challenges for problem-solvers. The firm was also highly ranked by Vault (#3 in the top 50 Consulting Firms, North America and #9 for compensation
- Parthenon-EY: As part of Ernst & Young, Parthenon focuses on strategy consulting with entry-level roles averaging $70,000 annually. Learn More.
Tips for Applying
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Resume preparation tips.
- Network: Attend campus recruitment events or connect with alumni on LinkedIn.
- Practice Case Interviews: Consider typical interview questions.
- Research the Firm: Familiarize yourself with each company’s values and recent projects.
- Prepare Questions: Show genuine interest by asking thoughtful questions during interviews.
*Use these AI prompts to assist you and assure you are prepared
Why These Firms Stand Out
Each of these firms combines prestige, robust training, and impactful work. Starting your career at a top consulting firm builds your credibility and equips you with skills to excel in any industry. Their alumni networks and global reputations make them powerful springboards for future opportunities.
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Note: Salary data and alumni examples are cited from company websites and industry reports. Starting salaries can vary widely depending on location, skill sets and exact role. For the most accurate information, look at current job postings on LinkedIn.
