Generalizing and only talking about top law firms and top consultancies, why is it that a consultant earns significantly less than a lawyer starting their career?In the US, one could argue that lawyers have professional degrees, but in the UK that isn't the case. Law is an undergraduate degree in the UK - you do have two years of training, but the pay during the training phase is comparable to that of a junior consultant. After qualification, it is more like that of a manager.

Law firms have a flatter remuneration curve than consultancy firms - so junior lawyers are paid closer to the average than junior consultants. The trade-off is that there is less room for subsequent salary growth and bonus (below partnership at least).

That's not really the case, at least in the US:"Using information provided by third-, fourth-, and fifth-years, we've compiled the salaries and bonuses of Am Law 200 associates from around the country. Overall, midlevel associates reported median salaries of $170,000 in their third year, with bonuses at $30,000. By years four and five, total compensation hit $222,000 and $245,000, respectively."http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1188378147171

go to rollonfriday.com or whatever that site is....lawyers earn more. no question.