Maybe prople with industry experience or recruitment consultants will be able to help me here: While industry salaries are far from being on par with consulting, how much would one expect to be on after finishing a graduate program in industry, say in oil/gas major vs being in a 2nd tier consulting firm?

"While industry salaries are far from being on par with consulting..."I'd challenge that assumption. Particularly on a 'net income per hour' basis.

It's important to differentiate between which type of Consulting firm you are with and what type of industry role.For example, young Consultants at the top Consulting firms will be paid more than their peers of the same age/experience in industry.

"young Consultants at the top Consulting firms will be paid more than their peers of the same age/experience in industry"In total, yes. Per hour worked - possibly not.You have to value yourself because it's quality of life that matters. Anyone can earn a lot if they're prepared to work 16 hours a day.

Oil and gas majors pay well. I have first hand experience of this as I worked in consulting (ok, 2nd tier if you will!) and other half worked for an oil major.Salary progression = fasterBonus = Similar (I worked for a firm where you could get 20% bonus)Way oil companies treat their staff and look after them = a lot lot better, travel = business class, free lunch, fully expensed mobile phone, meals out on the company, not away from home all the time and when you are you get compensation (substantial if your away more than 100 nights)When I left consulting and moved into industry I obtained a significant pay rise and my bonus ability 12 months later is the same. Don't believe consulting grad scheme's are always the best move for £, can help with career progression though. Other companies tend to hide the benefits of their packages away as they often don't need to scream and shout about money to get people to apply.

"Industry salaries are far from being on a par with consulting....."Couldn't agree more. Last year I left my Senior Manager position at a Big 4 to move to a FTSE defence company. Increased my base salary by 30%, excellent pension, great benefits, fantastic car scheme, reduced working hours, tax-avoiding share scheme and a guaranteed bonus of 50% base at least (dependent on the firm meeting it's targets - could be up to 100%).Yup, there's no competition. Consulting salaries are not on a par with industry. To think of the years I wasted in the consulting sweatshop believing that the grass was greenest on the consulting side, I could weep. Still ,better late than never!Oh, and I work from home EVERY Friday, which is great, and am not expected to be in the office until 0930 in the morning and leave a 1730 on the dot..... I could go on, but I think you catch my drift.

FTSE firmer - please can you tell me more about what level you went in at and how you went about doing the move? Is life in industry really that much easier and better paid?

Do you think after 2 yrs on a big 4 grad scheme one would make more applying for an industry job or staying in consulting?

FTSE firmer -- I'm a little fuzzy on what "industry job" means. What terms would I search for in a job site, for example?thanks!