Hi, I am about to turn 30 and though salary isn't everything we all judge ourselves by it. Therefore what would people consider 1) a good and 2) an average salary in consulting by the time you hit the big 3 0.

We're just tweaking our annual salary survey report in the next days, but have had a quick check on the figures and can confirm that at "Manager" level (the generic rank you would expect to have reached by the age of 30) the total remuneration package (basic + benefits + bonus) averages £79,700 across the UK consulting industry. The report itself provides different figures for strategy consulting, IT consulting, change management, etc - but this is the average you'd expect to be on as a UK consultant aged 30.Hope this helps - and hope you feel elated rather than depressed after reading this!!The report will be downloadable from the site in the next week, further details will be in our weekly e-newsletterTony RestellTop-Consultant.com

Depends when you joined as a grad (exp. hire) really!I was an A1 at 23 so would expect to have been a manager for a few years or something at 30 so about £80k.

Im about to join as an A2 at 27...gosh i feel old moving into consulting by cross comparisson!

Don't say that - I'm 27 and am only just starting in a grad role after my PhD. Age is all about how you feel, right?

oh this postings making me depressed :( being 29 with an shity MBA still looking for a job :(, is that how philosophers evolve ?

I am 28 and earn £55K. I would love to earn £80K by the time I am 30 but doubt I will.

Uhm,Wouldnt it be more interesting to have info on salary vs. numbers of years as consultant? Or is that info already in the survey.

Okay then, I have 5.5 years consultancy experience and earn £55k a year.It would be interesting to know experience (in years) vs. salary for consultants under 32. Also what level or grade do you hold.By consultant I mean IT, Management or Strategy Consultant not Recruitment or any other kind.

Gold, it's probably worth deciding whether you want to 'start the clock' a) when you started consulting, or b) when your experience started; it makes a big difference...

True.What i was thinking when i posted was "number of years with relevant work experience vs. salary".Would be interesting to have all the data in a database where you could look at it from these different viewpoints.

Is it possible to get in at consultant level after years in industry? Or are Consultant positions only open to fresh grads? I'm 35 and don't think I can get in at Manager/Principal Associate level but am very interested in making a shift to Consulting. Can I apply for a Consultant position (I'm OK with starting off at 35K)

Frsh grads would come in atr analyst level at which they spend 2 years before becoming consultants. You can definately come in at consultasnt or above from industry. At which level i wouldn't be qualified to say though so i'd speak to a headhunter.

Thanks Anon. I was working for the past 8 years with a small manufacturing company in an entrepreneural role and was wondering if Consultancies put any worth to the experience considering thier clients are mostly blue chips. Your suggestion of meeting a headhunter makes sense

This is exactly what is in the survey. Years of experience to make it to each grade and the salary you can expect at that point in your career, broken down for each type of consulting...