For ambitious professionals seeking a dynamic career at the intersection of finance, law, and business strategy, a role at a global advisory firm like FTI Consulting is a top-tier goal. Known for its high-stakes work in areas like corporate restructuring, litigation support, and economic consulting, FTI offers not only immense intellectual challenges but also significant financial rewards.
A career at FTI Consulting is highly sought after, with total compensation for entry-level consultants often surpassing the six-figure mark. As you advance, the earning potential grows exponentially. This article will provide a data-driven breakdown of what you can expect to earn at FTI Consulting, the key factors that shape your salary, and the long-term outlook for this demanding yet rewarding profession.
What Does an FTI Consultant Do?
FTI Consulting is not a traditional management consulting firm. It is a global business advisory firm that companies, law firms, and governments turn to during their most critical and complex moments—what they term "moments of truth." An FTI consultant's responsibilities are diverse and depend heavily on their specific practice area.
In essence, they are expert problem-solvers. Their work might involve:
- Corporate Finance & Restructuring: Guiding a company through bankruptcy, turnaround, or a major transaction (M&A).
- Forensic & Litigation Consulting: Investigating fraud, providing expert witness testimony in legal disputes, and managing data for e-discovery.
- Economic Consulting: Applying economic analysis to litigation, regulation, and business strategy, often in antitrust or valuation cases.
- Strategic Communications: Managing corporate reputation, handling crisis communications, and advising on public affairs.
- Technology: Advising on cybersecurity, data analytics, and information governance.
Consultants work in small, highly skilled teams to analyze complex data, develop strategic recommendations, and present their findings to senior client executives.
Average FTI Consulting Salary
Salaries at FTI Consulting are highly competitive and designed to attract top talent from leading universities and other prestigious firms. Compensation is typically broken down into a base salary and a performance-based bonus.
Based on an analysis of data from reputable sources, here is a typical compensation structure:
- Consultant (Entry-Level): An entry-level Consultant, typically a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree, can expect a base salary ranging from $85,000 to $95,000. According to data from Glassdoor, the estimated total pay (including bonuses and additional compensation) for a Consultant at FTI is approximately $105,000 per year.
- Senior Consultant: With a few years of experience or an advanced degree (like an MBA), a Senior Consultant can expect a significant increase. Base salaries often move into the $120,000 to $145,000 range. Payscale reports an average base salary for a Senior Consultant around $124,000, with total compensation packages reaching $140,000 to $160,000+ when bonuses are factored in.
- Director and Senior Director: At this level, professionals are leading teams and managing client relationships. Compensation becomes more variable, with a larger portion tied to performance. Base salaries can range from $170,000 to over $220,000, with total compensation packages often exceeding $250,000 - $300,000.
- Managing Director / Senior Managing Director: As a partner-level equivalent, these leaders are responsible for business development and practice leadership. Total compensation is heavily performance-based and can easily reach the mid-to-high six figures and beyond.
*Note: These figures are estimates based on publicly available, self-reported data from 2023-2024 and are subject to change based on market conditions and the factors discussed below.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific compensation package at FTI Consulting will be influenced by several key variables. Understanding these factors is crucial for maximizing your earning potential.
### Level of Education
Your academic background is a primary determinant of your entry-level position and starting salary.
- Bachelor's Degree: Graduates from top undergraduate programs typically enter at the "Consultant" or "Analyst" level.
- Advanced Degrees (MBA, PhD, JD): Candidates with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from a top-tier business school often enter at the "Senior Consultant" level, commanding a significantly higher starting salary and signing bonus (often referred to as the "MBA bump"). Similarly, a PhD in Economics or a Juris Doctor (JD) is highly valued and often required for specialized roles in Economic Consulting or Forensic & Litigation Consulting, leading to higher entry-level pay.
### Years of Experience
Consulting has a clear, hierarchical career track, and FTI is no exception. Compensation increases substantially with each promotion.
- 0-3 Years (Consultant): The foundational years focused on analysis, modeling, and learning the craft.
- 3-5+ Years (Senior Consultant): A pivotal role with more client-facing responsibility and management of junior team members. This is where the first major salary jump occurs.
- 5-10+ Years (Director / Senior Director): Focus shifts from project execution to project and client management. Compensation becomes more leveraged with performance bonuses tied to team and practice group success.
- 10+ Years (Managing Director): The top of the pyramid. These professionals are industry leaders responsible for generating business. Their compensation is directly tied to the revenue they bring to the firm.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. To account for differences in the cost of living and market demand for talent, FTI adjusts its salaries based on location. As reported by aggregators like Salary.com, roles in major metropolitan hubs with a high cost of living will pay more. Expect salaries in cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. to be 10-20% higher than in smaller markets.
### Company Type
While this article focuses on FTI, it's helpful to understand its position in the broader consulting landscape.
- MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG): These strategy consulting firms often set the highest bar for base salaries, particularly at the post-MBA level.
- Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG): These firms have massive advisory practices that compete directly with FTI. Their compensation is very competitive, though structures may vary slightly.
- FTI Consulting: FTI is a top-tier, publicly traded global advisory firm that holds its own against the Big Four and other major competitors. Its compensation is highly competitive, especially in its niche, high-margin practice areas like restructuring and economic consulting, where it is a market leader.
### Area of Specialization
This is a critical factor at FTI. Not all consulting practices are created equal in terms of revenue generation and, therefore, compensation.
- High-Demand Practices: Segments like Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Economic Consulting are often considered the most lucrative. The counter-cyclical nature of restructuring work (thriving during economic downturns) and the high-stakes, expert-driven nature of economic litigation can lead to larger projects and more significant performance bonuses.
- Other Core Practices: Fields like Forensic & Litigation Consulting, Technology, and Strategic Communications are also highly compensated and central to FTI's business model, offering robust career paths and strong earning potential.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for consultants is exceptionally strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for "Management Analysts," the closest government classification for consultants, will grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032, a rate considered "much faster than the average for all occupations."
The BLS cites the increasing need for organizations to improve efficiency and navigate a complex regulatory and economic environment as key drivers of this growth. The specialized expertise offered by firms like FTI Consulting will remain in high demand, ensuring strong job security and continued upward pressure on salaries for top performers. The median annual wage for management analysts was $99,410 in May 2022, with the top 10 percent earning more than $206,940—a range that aligns with the career trajectory at FTI.
Conclusion
A career at FTI Consulting offers a clear path to substantial financial success for those with the intellect, drive, and resilience to succeed. While entry-level salaries are already impressive, the real story is the steep trajectory of growth.
Here are the key takeaways for any prospective FTI consultant:
- Expect a Six-Figure Start: Total compensation for new consultants is highly competitive and generally exceeds $100,000.
- Experience is King: Your salary will grow significantly as you progress from Consultant to Director and beyond.
- Invest in Education: An advanced degree like an MBA or PhD can provide a significant starting salary advantage.
- Location and Specialization Matter: Working in a major city and in a high-demand practice like restructuring or economic consulting can further boost your earnings.
- The Future is Bright: With strong projected industry growth, the demand for expert consultants is set to continue, making it a secure and rewarding long-term career path.
For ambitious professionals ready to solve complex problems and advise at the highest levels, a career at FTI Consulting represents not just a job, but a pathway to significant professional and financial achievement.