Hi There,I was wondering if you could tell me the average salary bands for PA Consulting, from:Analyst ---> Partner (inc Bonus %'s on top of each base rate) And… Give me a rough idea of career progression to each of these levels (in years).Thank you in advance :)

My 2 Pence guess abt Salaries (I am at a Consultant Level - So cannot be 100% sure about CA or PC Levels):Consultant Analysts : 35-45KConsultants : 45-65KPrincipals : 65-90K ?My Estimate for Career Progression:Analyst to Consultant Analyst : 18 monthsConsultant Analyst to Consultant": 2 YearsConsultant to Principal : 3 to 5 years

Thanks PA-er :)

It sucks to have to ask this question, but what is the average age of people at each level, typically?

The anti-ageism laws stop me from answering your question but just do the Math- Start from the average age of the typical UK University pass-out and Count the number of years I have written below

I think those rules only apply if you're interviewing.. not allowed to make decisions on the basis of age etc. However my question was a simple request for factual information ("what is the average age of staff at each grade"). What I'm trying to figure out is, does that career path only apply if you join at graduate level? For someone joining as an 'experienced hire', how much does their non-PA experience count for (I know some other firms discount external experience very heavily)?

There's loads of Principal Consultants in their late 20s, there's also loads of PCs in their 40s, 50s and any other age band. PA take you on your experience, but to come in at Managing Consultant or Associate Partner you'll need big sales numbers to back it up, otherwise PC is a perfectly acceptable level to come in at and be a competent operator/ manager without sales targets.

Thanks pc, really helpful.So just to be clear, it's not one of those places where everyone at the same level tends to be the same age (i.e. someone who is a bit older/'experienced' wouldn't necessarily have to join at a level where he would have loads of sales targets unless he actually wants them)?What are the salary bands for PC and MC?

PA doesn't have an up or out policy so it's perfectly acceptable to be a PC for years as the MC rank above carries a sales target which not everyone wants. It's the most common rank that experienced hires come in at (say people over 30) as it gets you managing projects and supporting sales without the hard targets. You can then move up quickly if you are a good seller. Salary bands are above, though I would not expect many to come in near the top end as you end up as a very expensive resource to sell on projects and you're not generating as much profit for the Practice.

pc, that's really helpful, thank you.just one further question - say someone had 10 years of relevant experience, age 31... what level would you expect them to come in at and at what salary level? From what you post it seems that PC is the entry level for people over 30, yet according to the other post, the actual experience requirement for this grade is only 6.5 years...?Also are there any things to watch out for, e.g. particularly dodgy practices or certain areas that you would avoid like the plague?

Unless you have history of selling consultancy or have a very big and valuable address book, you'll most likely go in at PC. 6.5 years is about the minimum , but as above if PA take people with much greater experience in at that level. I know people who've happily sat at PC level for 10 years doing good work, it's not like other consultancies where you expect lots of little promotions which are actually just their way of managing their up or out policies. Compensation can vary depending on whether you have a particular skill, there are no hard and fast rules. When you speak to HR, put a number on the table and they'll tell you if it's acceptable. I would caution that PA puts an emphasis on OK base to start and then it's up to the individual to earn bonus on top based on performance, so starting your negotiations too high could hamper your chances.

Also are there any things to watch out for, e.g. particularly dodgy practices or certain areas that you would avoid like the plague?Well from what I gather Business Ops and Performance seems to be imploding as a practice at the moment, high staff turnover and not winning many jobs. That said you will often work in jobs for other practices anyhow.

Hi PA-er, Is Consultant Analyst the entry level at PA? Is the salary really 35-45k? I am an analyst at a similar consulting firm with about 6month experience so far. What is your advice about when to apply for PA?Does PA sponsor work permit?Thanks very much.Lyz

Analyst is entry level, if you're only 6 months in to your career you'll restart at this level.PA, like many companies, do not sponsor work permits for the UK or US. You have to be able to work in the country you're applying to.

Hi PA-er, The salary bands that you posted caught my eye and I was wondering what practice you are in and if this really reflects the current salary banding across the whole of PA. I assume you are quoting base salary? A very interested, fellow PA consultant now concerned about salary

Base salaries, as well as bonuses, will vary randomly across PA due to the amount of discretion in individual practices. This is especially true for bonus, of course.

The C band starts at £40K as far as I know. There is the car allowance though.

Varies massively by practice.A PC in BTG might make 65-80k + 20% bonus, while in Government they would make 55-65 + 40% bonus

PA-er2 - your points are really valuable. How about in the Manufacturing practice - C or PC rough base salaries ?

I would suggest that the salary bands quoted up top are a bit on the high side for base salary alone - seems more appropriate to include other forms of remuneration anyway - the £5k car allowance @ C level is paid along with salary after all

Is the car allowance really 5k, or is it 4k+ at C level?BTW, what could be the current salary range at C level at PA?

4k allowance, taxed at 40% gives £200 per month. Better than nothing but doesn't go very far towards funding a car, and if you used it to lease a car you would get an entry level Corsa or thereabouts