Does private equity pay more than consulting?
PRIVATE EQUITY WINS. Compensation. The package is often designed to attract investment bankers, who are better paid than strategy consultants. As a consequence, you should expect a significant increase in your total compensation package, up to 100% in some cases.
There are several potential benefits to moving from consulting to private equity, including: Direct impact: As owners of businesses, private equity professionals have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the companies in which they invest. Meanwhile, consultants are limited to advising from the sidelines.
Investment bankers usually earn more annually than consultants. However, while investment bankers typically earn more than consultants, it is worth remembering that bankers have much longer work hours per week (100 hours per week vs 80 hours per week).
Overall, I'd say it's more competitive to win a management consulting role at MBB than it is to win an investment banking role at a bulge bracket (BB) or elite boutique (BB) because: There are fewer entry-level roles at the top three consulting firms.
Many consultants choose to join an Operations Team at the Private equity level because it allows them to leverage their consulting toolkit to assess and drive operational improvement opportunities within a firm's portfolio.
Compared to consultants, private equity professionals often have more influence and a more direct impact on the companies with which they work. With this power, however, comes greater accountability, as they're more deeply involved as company shareholders.
Landing a career in private equity is very difficult because there are few jobs on the market in this profession and so it can be very competitive. Coming into private equity with no experience is impossible, so finding an internship or having previous experience in a related field is highly recommended.
- Software consultant. ...
- Business consultant. ...
- Consultant. ...
- Security consultant. ...
- Management consultant. ...
- Financial consultant. ...
- Systems consultant. ...
- Senior consultant.
(Only 1% of applicants to McKinsey actually get hired.) As does speaking at conferences, boosting the business's brand, mentoring and alike. So all in all, the total compensation for a junior partner can be between $500k and $1m.
- Chief financial officer. ...
- Private equity associate. ...
- Hedge fund manager. ...
- Insurance advisor. ...
- Financial advisor. ...
- Compliance analyst. ...
- Information technology auditor. ...
- Investment banker. Investment bankers help businesses and government groups invest their money.
Why do so many MBAS go into consulting?
There are many reasons why someone interested in becoming a successful consultant would consider getting an MBA degree, chief among which are the diversification and development of various consulting skills, increased opportunities for recruitment, and the potential for further career advancement within the industry.
Salary & Compensation
On average you can expect to get paid more in banking than consulting, with higher variability in the total compensation, but more total hours worked.
So, are IB students more stressed than others? While the research suggests that IB and AP students may experience slightly higher levels of stress, individual differences and coping strategies play an important role in managing stress.
Private Equity Associate Lifestyle and Hours
At many smaller funds and middle-market funds, you can expect to work 60-70 hours per week, mostly on weekdays, with occasional weekend work when deals heat up.
While these two industries may appear different, there are many skills that can be transferred from consulting to venture capital. The key is to find the right fit and ensure that your strengths and experiences can be aligned with the needs of a venture capital firm.
Position Title | Typical Age Range | Base Salary + Bonus (USD) |
---|---|---|
Associate | 24-28 | $150-$300K |
Senior Associate | 26-32 | $250-$400K |
Vice President (VP) | 30-35 | $350-$500K |
Director or Principal | 33-39 | $500-$800K |
The “all-in” combined salary is approximately $275k to $390k at top PE firms, but this figure can be much lower for smaller-sized funds and exceed $400k for firms with reputations for being the highest-paying (e.g. Apollo Global).
Investment bankers make money by advising companies, structuring sales, raising capital, and taking a percentage fee on each transaction. By contrast, private equity firms make money by exiting their investments. They try to sell the companies at a much higher price than what they paid for them.
Working at a Private Equity Firm
The private equity business attracts some of the best in corporate America, including top performers from Fortune 500 companies and elite management consulting firms.
Drawbacks / Disadvantages:
Still fairly long hours and an intense work environment, and significant travel may be required, especially as you advance. There may not be a clear path to advancement at your firm, depending on the firm's size and policies and your level.
Can you do PE without IB?
While investment banking is by far the most common training ground for private equity, it is also possible to recruit for private equity roles after doing entry-level consulting, especially if you are a top performer at a top management consulting firm.
Absolutely, but don't let that hold you back from moving forward and establishing yourself as a six or a seven-figure coach or consultant. I've been helping entrepreneurs for over a decade and I've seem a lot of applications come through.
Is a consulting business profitable? Of course! Many successful entrepreneurs have been able to work as a consultant and grow their business to a million-dollar enterprise. It takes hard work, determination and some help along the way, but it's certainly possible.
McKinsey's salary for entry-level consultants in the United States likely ranges from $100,000 to $140,000 per year, while the figure for MBA-level/experienced Associates can be over $200,000. Engagement managers typically earn around $300,000-400,000, while Partners-level can earn up to $1,000,000.
What Makes McKinsey Great? McKinsey is one of the most, if not the most, prestigious consulting firms in the world. McKinsey creates immeasurable value for its clients, influences how the business world operates, and produces many of the world's business and political leaders.