How much does a junior actually earn in 2026 depending on whether they join an investment bank, a consulting firm, an audit firm, or a legal department? The gaps are wider than you might think, and they're not limited to base salary. Here is a numbers-based grid by profession to help you place your compensation right out of school.
Methodology and salary sources
The figures presented here combine several sources: public data disclosed by employers on their entry-level grids, compensation studies published by Apec on young graduate executives 🔗, and the ranges commonly observed on the Paris market for the 2025-2026 intake.
Two important notes before comparing professions: first, the ranges shown correspond to a total package (base plus estimated bonus/variable), which can vary significantly year to year depending on market conditions; second, comparing raw figures masks real differences in workload, hours, and career progression that are worth keeping in mind.
Junior salaries in investment banking
Investment banking remains the highest-paying sector at entry level, with a marked gap depending on the type of institution:
- Bulge brackets (Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley...): starting packages for an Analyst role in Paris generally range from €65,000 to €85,000 in the first year all-in, with fast progression to the Associate and VP levels.
- Historic French banks (BNP Paribas CIB, Société Générale CIB): packages slightly behind bulge brackets in the first year, often between €55,000 and €70,000, with a better hours-to-pay balance according to most field feedback.
- M&A boutiques: highly variable depending on size and specialization — some prestigious boutiques exceed bulge bracket levels on the variable component, while other younger firms offer more modest base salaries offset by faster access to autonomy.
📊 Learn more: our 2026 ranking of the most prestigious investment banks in Paris details package gaps by institution category.
Junior salaries in strategy consulting
Strategy consulting shows entry-level compensation close to investment banking for MBB firms, with a different pay structure:
- MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain): a Business Analyst typically starts around €60,000 to €70,000 gross annually in Paris, performance bonuses included, with rapid salary progression at each promotion (usually every 18 to 24 months).
- "Tier 2" consulting firms (Roland Berger, Oliver Wyman, Kearney...): slightly lower ranges, between €48,000 and €58,000 in the first year, with comparable progression trajectories over the medium term.
- Generalist firms (Big Four advisory, organizational consulting firms): more modest entry level, between €38,000 and €48,000, but with interesting mobility prospects toward strategy or M&A after two to three years of experience.
Junior salaries in audit and accounting
Audit shows the lowest entry-level pay in this comparison, offset by significantly higher hiring volume and a well-mapped career path:
- Big Four (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC): a junior auditor or accounting assistant role generally starts between €32,000 and €40,000 gross annually in Paris, bonuses included, with regular increases tied to obtaining the DEC or other certifications.
- Mid-sized firms: similar ranges, sometimes slightly higher on base pay, in exchange for a workload often perceived as more sustainable during closing periods.
- Transaction Services / Corporate Finance (within the Big Four): entry-level pay notably higher than standard audit, often between €42,000 and €52,000, as these teams frequently serve as a springboard into M&A.
Junior salaries in corporate legal
Corporate legal shows the widest gap between different entry paths:
- Large Anglo-Saxon corporate law firms: junior associates (2-3 years post-bar) often start above €70,000, with packages that can exceed €90,000 at the most prestigious firms in M&A and financing practices.
- Mid-sized French firms: more modest ranges, generally between €45,000 and €60,000, with slower progression but a better work-life balance reported by most associates.
- In-house corporate counsel: a first corporate or compliance counsel role in-house generally starts between €38,000 and €48,000 depending on company size and sector, with more linear progression than at law firms.
⚠️ Note: these gaps narrow significantly after three to five years of experience, once specialization and professional network start to weigh more than the starting point.
How to negotiate your starting salary
Four concrete levers to avoid simply accepting the initial offer:
- Do your homework before the negotiation: rely on credible market ranges rather than rough figures picked up on social media — sector studies and grids published by employers themselves remain the most reliable sources.
- Highlight real competing offers, without bluffing: an experienced recruiter quickly spots a made-up counteroffer, which can permanently damage the negotiation.
- Negotiate the package as a whole, not just the base: signing bonuses, bonus advances, and reimbursement of tuition or certification costs (CFA, DEC) can offset a base slightly below your expectations.
- Be realistic about timing: negotiating room is generally wider before signing the employment offer than after, and virtually nonexistent once the contract is signed for a first job.
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