L.E.K. Consulting Careers: Roles, Culture, Salaries, Offices (2025)
What L.E.K. does—at a glance
L.E.K. Consulting is a strategy-only firm known for rigorous analysis and short, focused projects—especially in life sciences and private equity due diligence. Founded in 1983, the firm today has 2,300+ people across 20+ offices.
Why this guide?
TL;DR: Is L.E.K. a fit for you?
- Fast learning curve with real ownership early on.
- Limited travel; hours can still spike around deadlines.
- Great if you enjoy data-heavy work and concise storytelling.
- Strong exposure to life sciences and private equity.
Career path, simplified
Associate
~1–2 yearsResearch, models, interviews. You own analyses end‑to‑end and learn structured problem solving.
Associate Consultant
~2 yearsLeads larger workstreams, forms hypotheses, mentors Associates.
Consultant
~2 yearsRuns a small team, interfaces with clients, turns analysis into crisp recommendations.
Manager / Sr. Consultant
~3–5 yearsOwns project plan and client relationship; ensures quality and team growth.
Principal
~3–5 yearsLeads multiple engagements, shapes proposals, deepens client accounts and IP.
Partner
variesSets direction, scales client impact, drives business development and firm strategy.
Culture and fit
Teams are tight-knit with a practical, down‑to‑earth vibe. The limited‑travel model keeps people anchored to their home office, which strengthens mentoring and community.
What stands out
- Evidence-first mindset
- Short case cycles and clear expectations
- Supportive coaching culture
Fit interview, in brief
- Prepare 4–5 STAR stories (leadership, teamwork, resilience, impact)
- Be specific on “Why L.E.K.” (strategy focus, limited travel, industries)
- Quantify outcomes wherever possible
Practice L.E.K.-style cases
Market sizing drills, CDD-style prompts, and instant, actionable feedback.
- Realistic private-equity due diligence questions
- Guided structure with model answers
- Instant scoring and improvement tips
Salaries (base ranges)
Approximate annual base by region. Bonuses can add 10–30%+ at junior levels and more at senior levels.
| Role | United States | Spain | France | Portugal | Germany | Dubai (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | ~$100K | ~€45K | ~€55K | ~€35K | ~€60K | ~$80K |
| Consultant (Post‑MBA) | ~$180K–185K | ~€65K | ~€80K | ~€50K | ~€85K | ~$140K |
| Manager / Sr. Consultant | ~$200K–220K | ~€80K | ~€95K | ~€60K | ~€100K | ~$160K–180K |
| Principal | ~$300K+ | ~€150K+ | ~€180K+ | ~€120K+ | ~€180K+ | ~$250K+ |
| Partner | $500K+ (varies) | €250K+ (varies) | €300K+ (varies) | €200K+ (varies) | €300K+ (varies) | $500K+ (varies) |
U.S. offices
Explore each location’s focus and culture. Quick jump:
Boston
Largest global office, serving as Americas HQ. Generalist practice with strengths in Life Sciences, Healthcare, and Private Equity. Known for collegial culture.
Specialties
- Life Sciences & Pharma
- Healthcare Services
- Private Equity
- General Strategy
Culture
- Largest Office
- HQ Vibe
- Collegial
- Strong Training
New York
Top revenue office. Generalist practice strong in Private Equity, Consumer Products, Media, Financial Services. Fast-paced culture.
Specialties
- Private Equity (CDD)
- Consumer Products
- Media Strategy
- Financial Services
Culture
- Fast-Paced NYC
- PE Focus
- Diverse Projects
- Driven Culture
Chicago
Serves Midwest clients. Generalist office with notable work in Industrials, Healthcare, Consumer, and Energy. Friendly, community-oriented culture.
Specialties
- Industrials
- Healthcare
- Consumer Goods
- Energy Strategy
Culture
- Midwestern Friendly
- Community Focused
- Generalist
- Balanced Culture
Los Angeles
First West Coast office, historically strong in Media & Entertainment. Now generalist, covering Tech, Retail, Healthcare, and PE. Laid-back social vibe.
Specialties
- Media & Entertainment
- Technology
- Retail & Consumer
- Healthcare
Culture
- Entertainment Focus
- Laid-Back Socal
- Close-Knit
- Diversified
San Francisco
Strong focus on Technology and Life Sciences/Biotech clients in Silicon Valley. Smaller, growing office with a startup vibe. Also serves PE.
Specialties
- Technology Strategy
- Biotech & Pharma
- Software
- Tech PE
Culture
- Tech-Focused
- Startup Vibe
- Close-Knit
- Innovation Driven
Houston
Specializes in the Energy sector (Oil & Gas), Chemicals, and Utilities. Smaller, focused office serving the energy capital.
Specialties
- Oil & Gas Strategy
- Chemicals
- Utilities
- Energy Transition
Culture
- Energy Focused
- Specialized Expertise
- Growing Office
- Texas Base
Atlanta
Newest US office (opened 2023). Generalist focus serving the Southeast across Healthcare, Retail, Industrials, Media, and PE. Startup atmosphere.
Specialties
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Industrials
- Media
- Private Equity
Culture
- New & Growing
- Startup Feel
- Southeast Focus
- Generalist
Salaries and promotion criteria are consistent across the U.S. Choose based on city and industry interest; mobility is possible later.
Final checklist before you apply
- Write a crisp “Why L.E.K.” that reflects the firm’s style and industries.
- Prepare 4–5 STAR stories with quantified outcomes.
- Practice one market sizing and one CDD‑style case per day for a week.
- Target an office aligned to your background and city preference.
- Connect with an alum for a recent view on hours and culture.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources & Updates
Compiled from official firm materials, career pages, salary benchmarks, and community insights as of 2024-07-30. Always verify numbers during your process.
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