How much does a Consultant make?

The average salary for a Consultant is $102,361 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 135856 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Consultant employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Consultant in United States is $137,552 per year.

The lowest salary for a Consultant in United States is $76,771 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Consultant or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Consultant.

Consultants receive a wide salary range, reflecting the diversity of jobs and projects that can fall under their title. Salaried consultants at management consulting, litigation consulting or business advisory consulting firms often earn six-figure salaries and travel frequently for work. Freelance consultants can work full-time on-site at a client’s office for the duration of a project, or part-time and remote. Their salaries can range from extremely high fees to relatively low hourly rates, depending on their experience level and industry.

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73% of consultants feel content with their current salaries, Glassdoor's ratings reveal. A high level of experience in the role, an advanced degree, and industry-specific skills are all vital factors that influence salary. Consultants can also make up to $9,137.89 in additional annual pay.

Completing a master's degree, reaching two to four years of experience, and choosing a profitable industry, such as IT or finance, all correlate with a higher salary as a consultant following the consult career path. These factors can help you earn more, as can in-depth knowledge and experience in your particular industry. Consultant salaries range between $59,369.29 and $178,856.39, with $93,222.94 as the average salary.

Want to advance in your consultant career? Complete your MBA in business or a related field. While bachelor's degrees are standard among consultants, professionals are completing their graduate degrees in higher numbers, and you'll score high-paying positions faster if you earn yours. Consulting experience is pivotal, with the average professional having five to seven years of on-the-job expertise. As you advance and continue gaining experience, focus on improving in-demand skills such as leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, time management, attention to detail, and Agile methodology. Industry and location impact consultant salary significantly, so if you want to make more money from your position, relocating or switching industries might be necessary.

Consulting is a profession with significant long-term need, so you'll be competing against hundreds of others for the same role. If you're new to the field, take the offer and use the experience to accelerate your consultant salary growth. If you're an experienced hire, however, use previous experience, education, and references to your advantage. Set realistic expectations by researching average salaries for consultant positions in your area, at your experience level, and at the same firm, if possible. You'll also have significant bargaining power if you have competing offers, whether you're responding to an initial offer or requesting a raise. Bargain for everything in your compensation package at once.