Hi,I've seen the top consultant salary survey...and what a lovely report it is too. (Not sure about the dodgy goatee though......is that a picture of you Tony?)Digressions aside......how is experienced quantified in terms of salary scale? For example, if you're looking to move into IT consulting and have 4 years programme management, would this equate to four years consulting experience?To the pedants out there (boy, are you numerous...), if you find this question vague or cannot provide a useful answer, please resist the temptation to post a sarcastic response ("Fast"....are you listening?)Thanks chums...

I'm not sure that 4 years of programme management experience is the same as four years of consulting experience. Here's why:-Someone who is doing programme management (as opposed to project management) is likely to be fairly senior in the organisation. Along with the tangible skills associated with programme management, there are a whole host of softer consulting skills and business development skills that are required for the role. You may be a fantastic programme manager, but if you've got no bid experience you're unlikely to be offered a director-level position within the big four.If, on the other hand, what you've got is four years of project management experience, you're probably a senior consultant or manager on the salary survey. It really depends on exactly what your background is -- including things like line management and people development responsibility.