Determining the typical salary at Berkeley Research Group (BRG) is not straightforward, as the global consulting firm does not disclose compensation details publicly. However, some insights into BRG pay can be gleaned from employee reports on sites like Glassdoor.
The nature of consulting firm compensation
As with most large consulting firms, compensation at BRG is likely to vary substantially based on factors like:
- Job title and level of seniority
- Office location
- Specific practice area and industry
- Individual performance and billable hours
Entry-level consultants at firms like BRG are typically paid a base salary plus bonus, with bonuses making up a significant portion of total compensation. More senior employees often have additional incentive pay linked to business objectives.
Compensation by job title
Here is an overview of typical compensation by job level at BRG, based on self-reported employee salaries on Glassdoor:
| Job Title | Base Salary (USD) | Total Compensation (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Consultant | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Senior Consultant | $115,000 | $160,000 |
| Manager | $135,000 | $200,000 |
| Senior Manager | $165,000 | $240,000 |
| Director | $190,000 | $300,000 |
| Vice President | $220,000 | $350,000 |
A few key observations on the compensation data:
- There is a clear progression in base pay at each increasing level of seniority.
- Bonuses and incentive pay make up a significant portion of total compensation, especially at higher ranks.
- Industry publications cite total compensation for new analysts at around $100k, aligning with the Glassdoor data.
Compensation by location
Salaries at BRG also vary considerably by office location. Here is an overview of base pay ranges:
| Office | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $80,000 – $250,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $90,000 – $220,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $100,000 – $240,000 |
| Washington, DC | $80,000 – $200,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $80,000 – $180,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $70,000 – $160,000 |
The highest base salaries are found in high cost-of-living cities like San Francisco and New York. Lower salaries are seen in cities with lower costs like Dallas.
Factors impacting compensation
As mentioned earlier, several factors can influence total compensation at BRG beyond job title and location, including:
Practice Area
Consultants specializing in high-demand practice areas like cybersecurity, forensic accounting, and regulatory advisory may earn higher salaries.
Industry Focus
Experience in lucrative industries like financial services, healthcare, and energy also tends to command higher compensation.
Billable Hours
Consultants must hit annual billable hour targets (often around 2,000 hours) to get maximum bonuses, so high performers are rewarded.
Firm Performance
In good years, BRG distributes up to 10% of profits to employees, allowing top performers to effectively double bonuses.
How does BRG pay compare to Big 4 firms?
Salary wise, BRG base pay tends to be 10-20% lower than Big 4 firms like Deloitte, PwC and KPMG. However, bonuses and incentives at BRG can help close the gap in total compensation. The largest differences are seen at junior levels, while directors and partners may earn comparable salaries across firms.
The tradeoff is BRG offers greater upward mobility into senior roles versus the stricter up-or-out promotion system at Big 4 firms.
Summary of key points
- Entry level consultants at BRG earn $80k to $100k in total compensation.
- Base pay progresses from around $80k for analysts to over $200k for vice presidents.
- Bonuses make up a significant portion (up to 50%) of total comp, especially for senior roles.
- Salaries are highest in big metro areas like NY and SF.
- Practice area, industry, performance and firm profitability impact comp as well.
- BRG salaries trail Big 4 firms at junior levels but are similar at senior levels.
Conclusion
While Berkeley Research Group does not disclose official salary data, Glassdoor estimates point to total compensation ranging from around $100k for entry level consultants up to $300-400k for senior directors and vice presidents. Salaries vary considerably based on job title, office location, specialty, and individual performance. Overall, BRG provides strong compensation especially for those progressing into senior leadership roles within the firm.