I am currently a PhD student (interested in energy and sustainability) and will be graduating on May 2025. I am considering looking for jobs in consulting, but I am not sure what is a fit position to apply for. My questions are:
1) What is a fair job title to apply for (e.g., Associate? Consultant? Senior consultant? Etc.)
2) What is a good starting salary (considering I will have a PhD and I have a one-year internship experience)?

Thanks all!!

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Some companies bring in PhDs at different levels. The starting salary also differs by company more than by your specific degree, aside from the differences from the role you join at.

For McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, they would hire you at a post MBA level (there are different names for this role, with Associate at McKinsey and Consultant at BCG). The salary will be equal to anyone else at that level to start, and is almost $200k USD with bonus and retirement contributions.

For companies like Deloitte, KPMG, etc, it's less consistent what they will hire you at. Sometimes they bring you in at the same level as an undergrad, and the pay is closer to $70-80k+ USD. Personally I think that doesn't respect our experience at all, but they seem to care more about MBA or not than anything else.

Unfortunately now is a difficult time for any consulting company, so they aren't hiring much.

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