What’s the real earning potential for someone who doesn’t want to go the partner track? I like consulting, but I’m not sure I want to grind for 10 years chasing MD or partner. Are there roles that still offer solid comp without the 80-hour weeks?

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I left a Big 4 firm after 6 years and moved into a corporate strategy role. I’m still using the same skill set but with way better hours and a total comp package around $180K with bonus and equity. Not partner-level, but definitely comfortable—and I’m not on email at midnight anymore.

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There are plenty of opportunities to earn good money in a corporate environment with WLB. Many manager-level roles today are $135K base + 10-15% bonus, $150K all-in to have a 40-50 hour work week.

I left consulting as a Sr. Manager with $180K base + 20% for a Director role $200K base + 25%. I went from being on the road a couple months a year to being remote.

Thoroughly enjoy where I landed and turndown offers for more compensation and responsibility as I was able to find a happy medium in life. Just know, the other side of the fence almost always move slower. Some enjoy that, others hate it.

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I’m currently working for a professional services firm in a non-consulting role, but spent time in manufacturing, corporate banking, consulting, alternative lending, and government contracting

I’ve worked an 80-hour week maybe a handful of times in 25 years of consulting. At almost all firms, 1-2 levels below MD/partner comfortably make $300k+

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MBB/Alvarez/K/AP/LEK usually hit those figures at the EM equivalent

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in my anecdotal experience, senior manager is the worst role. delivery and sales at the same time. the job opportunity from consultant to manager is more noticeable. industry recognizes the title of manager a lot more than consultant. I get a lot more job opportunities at manager than when I was at consultant

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F500 Strategy or corporate development roles, some stress but a lot of the stakeholders are internal no sales. Potentially can get to VP/MD with 15-20 YoE with $500-$600K all in

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problem is it is up or out. typically, if you stay at level too long, you get let go. not all cases but Accenture follows that with PACE tagging. otherwise, just cruise at level without the overtime.

Same here . Moved out of consulting and best decision

80 hour work week is insane

Agree, I would run if that’s beyond a once a year occurrence

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Honestly if you’re not looking to stay in the game for partner track I would leave once you hit senior consultant (or whatever the level is at your firm right before manager). The grind to hit manager is not worth it and manager is arguably the worst level to be in consulting; plus the exits between senior consultant and manager don’t look all that different usually.

The other option is if you can, some consulting firms will pay well for good, experienced IC senior consultants, you just have to find a firm that isn’t up or out model and make your intentions clear. Some firms will pay upwards of $220k for an experienced high quality senior consultant (depending on practice/speciality).

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