What Does A Consultant Do? Salary by Level & How to Become One (2026)
A consultant advises companies on growth, strategy and operational change — a billion-dollar, global industry where successful consultants travel to client sites, diagnose problems, and help implement the fix. If you introduce yourself at a party as a management consultant, you’ll probably get a confused look back — so here’s what the job actually involves, and what it pays at every level.
What does a consultant do all day?
It depends heavily on the project. Consultants typically work on just a handful of projects at a time — sometimes only one, if the client is a large multinational. Most projects start with the consulting team getting under the skin of the client’s business: interviewing employees, collecting data, and figuring out what actually needs to change before recommending anything.
Later, findings become presentations shared with the client, where potential solutions get discussed in detail. The consulting team then makes its recommendations — sometimes a different team, with specific implementation skills, takes over from there, while a senior team stays on the project until full completion.
A typical project might involve cutting costs, speeding up inefficient processes, implementing a new company-wide IT system, or running a large-scale redundancy programme. If you’re curious how these firms are structured, see our guide on what a management consulting firm actually does.
Consultant salary by level (UK, 2026)
| Level | Typical UK salary |
|---|---|
| Graduate / Analyst | £35,000–£45,000 (top strategy firms ~£50,000) |
| Consultant | £45,000–£85,000 (post-MBA/experienced hire can reach £85,000–£97,000 at top strategy firms) |
| Manager (3–4 years’ experience) | £55,000–£70,000 |
| Director | £150,000–£190,000 |
| Partner | £150,000–£400,000+ (average reported around £154,511) |
Pay varies significantly by firm tier — MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) and top strategy firms sit well above Big Four and boutique consultancies at every level. See our McKinsey vs Accenture Graduate Scheme 2026 comparison for exactly how two real graduate entry points compare on pay, or KPMG vs EY for the Big Four side. Run any offer through Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to see it after tax.
See the full UK management consulting salary breakdown by firm tier for how MBB, Big Four and boutique pay compares.
What kind of expertise do consultants need?
Consultants specialise across almost any industry, which is why there’s no single “best” degree subject. The most important attributes are flexibility, problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and the trust-building, listen-first interpersonal skills needed to get clients and colleagues on side quickly. The best consultants aren’t intimidated about speaking truth to power — they deal closely with C-level executives and often have to hold difficult conversations about project findings.
Where do consultants work from?
A large part of consulting work happens on the client’s site, which is why there’s so much potential for travel — though it’s not always as glamorous as it looks. They’re usually expected to get in before most employees arrive and stay after they leave. Between projects, consultants are “on the bench” — time usually spent on sales, account management, or training, since bench time isn’t billable to a client.
If you’re looking for a traditional nine-to-five behind the same desk with the same colleagues every day, consulting probably isn’t the right fit.
Career progression for a graduate consultant
New hires typically start on the hands-on, client-delivery side of project work before progressing into more strategic areas — proposal creation, client management, and eventually leading a project team or a specific project stage. Later career stages (Director, Partner) bring genuinely large rewards alongside significantly more responsibility, as the salary table above shows.
For real, verified entry points at this level, see our full Graduate Scheme hub — McKinsey and Accenture specifically break down starting salary, application process and structure for 2026.
FAQs About Working As A Consultant
What skills do you need to become a consultant?
Strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills matter most. Firms also value adaptability, since you’ll often work across very different industries and teams.
How much do graduate consultants earn in the UK?
Starting salaries typically range from £30,000–£45,000 at major firms, with fast progression for strong performers. Try our Paycheck Calculator to see take-home pay at each level.
Do you need a specific degree to become a consultant?
No — top consulting firms hire graduates from any degree background. What matters more is demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability, often tested through case-study interviews.
Is consulting a stressful job?
It can be demanding — long hours and travel are common, especially early in your career. But it also offers fast learning, variety, and strong long-term earning potential.
What does a consultant do that’s different from other business roles?
Unlike most in-house roles, consultants move between clients and industries, diagnosing problems from the outside rather than managing day-to-day operations.
