many many many years ago, certain foreign consulting firms like BCG and Mckinsey pay their consultants the same global base pay. It could still be the same practice even now.

If it is the same, associate level in the states essentially is the level for a MBA grad. So at the low side is 10K usd base salary per month.

the big 3 consulting firms, certain foreign banks like JP or Goldman, certain O&G firms only have such a policy to pay a group of their employee global standard salary.

a associate level consultant is paid north of 120K usd in the States, so if McKinsey continue the practice, it should be that.

Of course, this is an aberration.... us commoners in normal firms don't get that much....

Were you in the front office like IB or trading desk?

Middle and back office I don't think will be given the same package

nope. Associate is basically experience hire.

the ranking system is more along this line: Analyst, Associate, Managers/Team Leader, Partner.
It is very similar to IBs from US banks.

And the age range can be wide. I had seen Associates as young as 26 to as old as late 30s/early 40s. Reason: each came in from different career path. Easiest would be a few years of work experience and get an MBA from an Ivy.