The company employs some 5,000 to 7,000 workers who aren't partners in North America, and in five years, the number of such employees could rise by 15% to 20%, Eric Kutcher, a senior partner and chair of McKinsey North America, told reporters Monday at the company's media day in New York. For 2026, McKinsey plans to hire 12% more people in North America than in 2025, he said. Kutcher said he expects the company will continue to increase the number of entry-level workers it hires.