Would love some honest input. I’ve received an offer for a Supervisor role at a Big 10 consulting firm, with a base salary of $130K.

I bring 10+ years of experience and was previously a Manager at a Big 4, earning $180K base. My past roles included leading large-scale transformation initiatives, managing global teams, and engaging directly with senior client leadership. The scope of the new role feels very similar—just at a lower title and significantly lower comp.
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For those who’ve navigated similar moves:
• Is this kind of step back ever worth it for the long-term brand or promotion trajectory?
• Or is a $50K+ cut too steep given my background?

Appreciate any real-world insights from those who’ve been in the same boat.

I haven't been in consulting, but I recently went from a large company to another after 10+ yrs. Technically it was also a lateral move for me with a similar role scope (same title, same nature of work). I was dying to move as I needed a growth trajectory and I didn't have it at my previous company.
But when I searched, I personally set a very clear boundary on what I was willing to accept. I was willing to take a pay cut if growth was clear, but only up to 15% from my base, and ~5% of total compensation. It was a math exercise for me; I have bills to pay and a (rather expensive) lifestyle to sustain! Ultimately, I moved with a 14% lower base but 30% higher expected total comp (much higher bonus expected based on bonus structure).
Personally, after 10yrs of experience, I wouldn't take that significant of a cut.
Assuming you're in your 30s, if there isn't a significant new skill you will gain or a sure path to becoming a partner, this doesn't sound like a good deal.

What's the rationale behind considering this offer? Unless I'm misunderstanding, this looks like a step down in both compensation and career progression and is a clear no.

I took a sabbatical for a year

A $50k pay cut is pretty steep. Do you not feel like you can find another role that is closer to what you were making? I’ve had to take pay cuts before, one was $20k and the second was ultimately larger but it was right after covid and it was a contract job that I was able to turn full time and eventually outpaced the salary I was making pre covid. $50k pay cut seems like a lot to make up for in taking another ft job

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