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Job outlook for consultants/entrepreneur in the United States
Are consultant/entrepreneur jobs in demand?
Consultant/entrepreneur job and salary trends over time
Consultant/entrepreneur jobs over time
Consultant/entrepreneur job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 282 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 270 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 261 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 251 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 242 | 0.00% |
Average consultant/entrepreneur salary over time
Consultant/entrepreneur salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,178 | $44.80 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $90,627 | $43.57 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $88,873 | $42.73 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $87,640 | $42.13 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $86,449 | $41.56 | +0.0% |
Consultant/entrepreneur jobs by state
Most common states for consultants/entrepreneur
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 443 | 64% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 248 | 23% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 144 | 23% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 169 | 19% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,124 | 16% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 219 | 16% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 604 | 15% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 463 | 15% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 148 | 14% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,155 | 13% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,074 | 13% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 724 | 13% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,478 | 12% |
| 14 | Delaware | 961,939 | 118 | 12% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 68 | 12% |
| 16 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 555 | 11% |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 443 | 11% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 80 | 11% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,340 | 10% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,006 | 10% |
Consultant/Entrepreneur job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of consultant/entrepreneur experts
Davidson College
Lewis-Clark State College
Duke University
Xavier University
Coastal Carolina University
Florida State University
University of Central Missouri
Drexel University
North Carolina State University
Culver-Stockton College
Nicholls State University
Cabrini University
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Ohio Christian University
Colby-Sawyer College
Lorain County Community College
American Association of Cosmetology Schools
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
American Defence Group
Western Kentucky University
Katie Horowitz
Associate Professor of Gender & Sexuality StudiesDavidson College
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Consultant/Entrepreneur?
Katie Horowitz: With the rise of artificial intelligence, soft skills like interpersonal communication, conflict management, and critical thinking will become more important than ever before. These are assets that can’t be outsourced to AI, and they are fundamental to the work that Gender & Sexuality Studies majors do in college.
What Consultant/Entrepreneur skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katie Horowitz: Some research shows that women and members of marginalized racial groups are less likely to negotiate their salaries than their white male counterparts. When you get a job offer, don’t forgo the opportunity to advocate for a higher salary.
What will help Consultants/Entrepreneur increase their earning potential?
Katie Horowitz: Don’t limit yourself. I’ve seen Gender & Sexuality Studies students land jobs in business consulting, nonprofit, medicine, law, and more. The beauty of this interdisciplinary field is that it intersects with virtually every sphere of human existence. You can bring your GSS skills to bear on any line of work that interests you.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Jenny Scott: Consulting requires knowing the job itself, so industry experience is paramount.
Both "big picture/systems" thinking, as well as the ability to identify and understand details (analytical skills), is key skill in business consulting.
Don't forget the value of written communication skills. With fewer in-person meetings, being able to professionally, succinctly, and effectively write is one of the most coveted and essential skills.
Presentation skills are still - if not more - important today. Being familiar with a variety of presentation tools and platforms can be helpful; however, finding one or a few where you can be highly proficient will help achieve both efficiencies of communications, message delivery, and desired outcome.
Michael Munger
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director, PPE ProgramDuke University
Department of Political Science
What skills stand out on Consultant/Entrepreneur resumes?
Michael Munger: Political science is an ancient career synergy, one that explores the connections between ethical considerations and engineering policy that works. Someone who majors in Political Science is able to make arguments about the questions that have plagued philosophers for thousands of years while using the latest data techniques to scrape online sources of information on social media. So political science instructors have to combine ethics, knowledge of esoteric procedures and laws, and statistics!
What soft skills should all Consultants/Entrepreneur possess?
Michael Munger: Working in groups. And that's hard to teach. The best teacher is experience. Often, students learn the most when their group fails or the other members don't pull their weight. The ability to work in unstructured environments and still achieve group success is a big part of many jobs. And Political Science teaches that.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Michael Munger: Political Science students should take at least one Computer Science class, be able to run a spreadsheet with skill, and be able to write crisp prose that gets to the point.
What skills will help Consultants/Entrepreneur earn the most?
Michael Munger: The ability to lead a group by example and to get other people to feel that they are part of something larger than themselves. At its best, Political Science is like an entire little liberal arts curriculum. It's the perfect preparation for leadership, either in government or the private sector!
Mike Halloran
Teaching Professor, Management and Entrepreneurship, Taskforce Member, Center for InnovationXavier University
Management Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Mike Halloran: Excel
-Digital communication
-Budget management
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Finance and EconomicsCoastal Carolina University
Finance and Economics Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Sourav Batabyal Ph.D.: Computer skills: Word Processing (MS Word), Spreadsheets (MS Excel), Visual Communication (MS PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.), Database Management (MS Access, SQL, Oracle, etc.), Graphics, Social Media.
Technical skills: Statistical Software(s) (R, SAS, MATLAB, etc.), GIS software(s) (ArcGIS, Tableau, etc.), Python Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Coding Language(s) (HTML, C++, Javascript, etc.).
Management skills: Project Management, Business Analysis, Accounting, Economics and Finance, Management and Decision Sciences, Operations Research, Marketing and Sales, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Office Management, Planning, Logistics, Agile software, Scrum management.
Marketing skills: Affiliate Marketing, Marketing Research, and Analytics, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing.
Analytical skills: Data Science, Data Mining, Database Management, Statistics and Econometrics, Analytics and Reasoning, Research, Testing, and Diagnostics.
Writing skills: Research and Report Writing, Editing, Content Management Systems, Social media updates.
Design skills: Adobe Creative Suite (Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), User Experience (UX) Design, Digital Product Design, Video Production.
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.
Assistant Department Chair and Executive Director, Center for Human Resource ManagementFlorida State University
Department of Management and the Center for Human Resource Management
What soft skills should all Consultants/Entrepreneur possess?
C. Darren Brooks Ph.D.: While advancements in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics occupy center stage in many areas of management practice, soft skills continue to be seen as equally or even more important skills for success in the field of management. Soft skills are typically described as personal attributes, qualities, and characteristics that enable us to interact more effectively with others. In most fields of management, our ability to communicate, work with, and interact with other people constitutes a significant portion of the work we do. Consequently, employers are focused on identifying candidates who possess strong skills are areas of communication (verbal, written, and non-verbal), leadership and followership, collaboration, an ability to work in teams, intellectual curiosity, adaptability, conflict management, problem-solving, creativity.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Dr. Dan Jensen: Credentials viewed favorably vary from industry to industry and job to job. If you are focused on the positive trends (question 1 above), there are specialized certifications for nearly every role. Some certifications require that you have professional experience in the industry, but others can be earned prior to having relevant work experience.
Supply Chain (e.g., Certified Supply Chain Manager, CSCP)
Human Resources (e.g., Professional in Human Resources, PHR)
Project Management (e.g., Project Management Professional, PMP)
Sales (e.g., SPIN Selling)
Networking (e.g., Certified Cisco Network Associate, CCNA)
Customer Relationship Management (e.g., Salesforce certification)
Google Certifications (e.g., AdWords certification)
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Lauren D’Innocenzo Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has certainly tightened the job market, with fewer available jobs in many sectors such as the service industry, but at the same time, has created many other opportunities for graduates in fields such as healthcare and supply chain. For new graduates, strategically considering opportunities may help to overcome some of the challenges presented in the current economy.
For example, if you are looking to gain experience in service, applying to service-oriented positions in IT or healthcare may offer more opportunities and give you more breadth of experience. I believe the potential for an enduring impact exists in a graduate's ability to adapt to changing demands and willingness to cast a wider net for available positions. Graduates who are myopically focused and unwilling to test their knowledge in different areas may not see the same opportunities, and over time, the lack of opportunities can add up. Now is a great time to work on your resilience and flexibility.
Steve Barr Ph.D.
Professor of Technology ManagementNorth Carolina State University
Department of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship
What general advice would you give to a Consultant/Entrepreneur?
Steve Barr Ph.D.: You have to think about a career and not just a job. It is not all about the money. If you take a job to "chase the money" you will be disappointed later. Find something that you are passionate about and give it your best. The money will work out over time. I see too many people who can't wait to retire but have to stay "for the money" due to their lifestyle and lack of savings. This is very sad. I may never retire, I really like what I am doing. It is not for the money.
Be prepared to move to take the first job/step in your career. You also need to be prepared for "constant learning" for your job, be it technological changes, supply chain changes, industry/economic value changes, etc. Your best option is to be able to show that you can "create value for the organization" in specific ways so you need to plan your education and career in a way(s) that enable you to "create value" in different organizations.
Robin Jarvis
Director of Career and Internship ServicesCulver-Stockton College
Business Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Consultant/Entrepreneur job market given the pandemic?
Robin Jarvis: We are already starting to see shifts in the way employers do business. Students should expect to conduct interviews, at least preliminary ones, through virtual platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet. Students also will want to be sure they have adequate internet service and computer equipment to do a virtual interview. In addition to attention to one's own appearance, interviewees also must be concerned about the appearance of their environment. Students should pay attention to what their backgrounds look like. Find a quiet space, away from noisy pets or family members, and be sure their faces are well lit, eliminating shadows. Many employers also are shifting to permanent work-from-home models. This is ideal for motivated self-starters who need little guidance in their day-to-day activities, but it may be more of a challenge for students who need mentorship or thrive in team-based work environments.
What Consultant/Entrepreneur skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Robin Jarvis: Certain soft skills always are in demand from employers. Creativity in problem-solving is frequently at the top of the list. Collaboration and effectiveness in a team setting, also are important to the business. Along with this goes communication. Employers seek applicants who have emotional intelligence with the ability to manage and express their emotions. Adaptability is high on the list, and we all learned a great deal about adaptability this year. I've received a lot of feedback from employers looking for technical skills, Excel in particular. Students seeking to improve in any of these areas should actively engage in the learning opportunities offered in their classroom environments. LinkedIn offers certificate classes in many of these subjects. And, as with any skill, one has to practice, practice, practice to gain and maintain proficiency.
What general advice would you give to a Consultant/Entrepreneur?
Robin Jarvis: Be flexible. Employment trends were shifting and changing, before the pandemic hit, and we can expect more change in the days ahead. Opportunities are still out there, and we will recover from these challenges. I anticipate growth after stabilization and the creation of jobs that don't exist today. Be willing to take the skills you learned in college and apply them to a wide array of opportunities. Explore careers outside your area of study, and never stop learning. Most important - network, network, network!
Laura Lott Valenti
Assistant Professor of Marketing John C. Daigle Endowed ProfessorNicholls State University
Department of Management and Marketing
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 3-5 years?
Laura Lott Valenti: I foresee technology that enhances communication and training as a central focus in the next 3-5 years. With the move to so many people and organizations being online, enhanced communications and training online are needed to maintain efficiency while also advancing technology in these areas.
Erin McLaughlin Ph.D.
ProfessorCabrini University
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Erin McLaughlin Ph.D.: The best advice I could give a recent graduate is to maintain networking initiatives as they move through their career. It is essential to join professional organizations as these organizations will allow you to stay active in your field but will also give you the opportunity to interact with individuals that are at all levels of their careers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Consultant/Entrepreneur job market given the pandemic?
Susan Meyer-Goldstein: While the pandemic remains disruptive and dangerous for workers and the broader public, there are both "typical" business activities in many sectors and "atypical" activities in others. For those hoping to get their foot in the door with a new employer, there are industries where demand is robust - some health care industries, some food industries, logistics, certain types of retail (online, for example). Some industries, such as travel, are on hold now but will begin to recover as pent-up demand returns. Many professional services - accounting, consulting - and many tech-based industries continue to see strong demand, which means that those job markets are likely to be healthy.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 3-5 years?
Susan Meyer-Goldstein: Well, all of them?
In addition to pre-pandemic tech development, many organizations are transitioning into new technologies, including more extensive use of some and experimentation with others. Recall that, while Zoom existed a year ago, most organizations barely used it. Now, it is ubiquitous, along with similar communication tools. The health care industry will likely be significantly transformed by technology over the next few years - not just telemedicine, but home-based medical treatments, artificial intelligence creeping into many processes, and enhanced use of information to drive activities across the industry - from tech development to insurance, pharm, elder care, etc. Many other industries will experience similar.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 5 years?
Susan Meyer-Goldstein: There is an exciting combination of factors coinciding shortly. On the declining side, some workers will be replaced by automation. But also declining is the number of kids coming out of high school and into college. But on the upside, the demand for many skills and positions that cannot be automated will be as strong as ever. That means those fewer numbers entering the job market will have opportunities, as long as they "build skills" and prepare for today's jobs.
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Dr. Jon Tomlinson Ph.D.: Introductory management textbooks often cite CEOs' skills that include the core components of most undergraduate business programs. These skills would consist of oral and written communication, creative thinking, time management, technological skills, and most certainly understanding of the functional areas of marketing for a marketing student. You also can't discount integrity and honesty.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consultants/Entrepreneur to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jon Tomlinson Ph.D.: This question can be answered in 2 ways. In general, those in the marketing field would most likely be employed by larger firms, and larger firm headquarters are more likely to be found in larger cities across the U.S. As we have certainly seen with the COVID situation, many employers are providing remote work opportunities, which can be easily accomplished by those in the marketing field.
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Hilary Walrod: Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and communication have always been essential skill sets, and they look to be increasingly important now and shortly. By applying these skill sets, fine arts graduates will be well-equipped to contribute to various professional settings. Developing the wherewithal to learn new skills and the latest best practices can enable graduates to situate themselves for adaptation and growth.
How do you envision technology impacting Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 5 years?
Hilary Walrod: I envision that continual technological development - and widespread use of digital technology - will yield increasing opportunities to apply art and design skills in the field of interactive design.
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator for Communication StudiesLorain County Community College
Arts & Humanities Division
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Consultant/Entrepreneur job market given the pandemic?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: I think that many employees will continue to work from home post-pandemic. During COVID-19, people worked effectively at home, and in many instances, were more productive than when they were physically at the office. Employers will likely consider if they should pay for office space when their employees can do their jobs at home. If the traditional office space does become obsolete, employees will have to reimagine their home offices to promote a professional environment for digital platforms. They'll also have to work harder at making connections with others. High tech requires high touch. In other words, when we rely on computer-mediated communication, we need to interact more to establish relationships. Improving and maintaining digital communication skills will be essential as employees navigate their post-pandemic careers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 3-5 years?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: I think we'll continue to use digital platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, and Teams. We'll likely see improved options in these platforms, such as enhanced breakout rooms, better file-sharing capabilities, and synchronous document creation/editing. If we continue to work from home, these platforms will also need to do well on smartphones.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 5 years?
Tammy Bosley Ph.D.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that communication jobs would increase at the same rate as other professions. Communication is a general degree. Students who major in the discipline usually choose a specialty such as public relations, health communication, international communication, etc. to navigate employment opportunities successfully. Given the challenges everyone is facing in today's culture, communication graduates will be essential to meet the demands of a post COVID society.
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Anthony Civitano: #1 is soft skills; younger generations are less and less equipped with these essential skills. Corona-19 will undoubtedly have an impact as social distancing has become the necessary norm, inhibiting person-to-person interaction. #2 Basic financial literacy and life/work balance. #3 The technical skills evolve over the years, and our schools stay connected with the industry's pulse and adjust their curriculum accordingly.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consultants/Entrepreneur to find work opportunities?
Anthony Civitano: Beauty is a worldwide necessity. Our graduates will always be in demand and never have their career of choice outsourced. Covid-19 has proven that Beauty professionals ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS! We change people's lives by making them feel better about themselves, which has a fantastic effect on people.
How do you envision technology impacting Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 5 years?
Anthony Civitano: Education will be the largest affected. For many years the schools have wanted to have the ability to have distance education, or a hybrid at least, to teach our courses. The shut down of schools forced States Education Departments, US Department of Education, and Accreditors to allow Distance Education for our programs. It has exceeded our expectations and is being proven to be an effective means of delivering a large part of our programs.
Dr. Anthony Stanowski
President & CEOCommission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Dr. Anthony Stanowski: To be successful, graduates of healthcare management programs need to bring to market the following: skills and character.
In terms of skills, they need to have strong technical and analytical skills, especially at the start of their career. These skills will morph over a job to encompass an interpretation of the data to lead others to action. And that is where communication skills and project management capabilities come in.
Indeed, young graduates need to understand the healthcare system, how it has changed, and why it has changed. This knowledge needs to be deeper than the sound bites heard on the news or from pundits. They need a foundational understanding of the key subjects taught in class.
Most importantly, they need to develop character. Note that I say develope, because some believe character is innate. They can be learned, and they must be exercised. Character includes the ability to approach work in new and breakthrough ways, innovate, and transform. They have to lead by having a strong sense of empathy by understanding that you show only when you help others succeed. They have to do whatever it takes to make things better, which means more than a 9 to 5 job. If you want a 9 to 5 job, there are better places to go than healthcare management.
Those are among the skills and characterize young graduates need. For more, I would suggest taking a look at the competencies for leadership as developed by organizations such as the National Center for Healthcare Leadership https://www.nchl.org/page?page=272, the American College of Healthcare Executives https://www.ache.org/about-ache/resources-and-links/healthcare-leadership-competencies, the International Hospital Federation https://www.ihf-fih.org/resources/pdf/Leadership_Competencies_for_Healthcare_Services_Managers.pdf, Saint Louis University https://www.slu.edu/public-health-social-justice/pdfs/slu_mha_competencymodel_reviewedfall2016.pdf the National Association for Healthcare Quality https://nahq.org/education/nahq-healthcare-quality-competency-framework/, and many others. When evaluating a program to attend, ask about the competency model, they use to develop their curriculum. Does that competency model match what you want to learn? If the program does not know what a competency model is, politely thank them and go elsewhere.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consultants/Entrepreneur to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anthony Stanowski: Yes, the right places to look at are the places where you think you can make a difference. Where is your passion? Is it in inner-city areas, struggling to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised? Is it in rural areas where the challenges are how to knit together limited resources to provide to communities that are spread out to meet critical healthcare needs? Is it in sizeable academic health systems where the challenge lies in forming internal and external constituencies' coalitions to succeed?
Is it in integrated delivery systems that are national in scope, working to transform healthcare by knitting together insurance, pharmaceuticals, and patient care but are struggling against regulatory roadblocks and the established ways of doing things? Is your passion in the growing informatics sector, where you can help organizations use data more accurately? Is it in telemedicine? Health policy? Physician practice management? Know yourself and what you believe in. Work to make a difference. Healthcare is the noblest of fields, and I hope that people choosing to enter healthcare stay faithful to its calling.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Consultants/Entrepreneur?
Dr. Anthony Stanowski: Many projections show that the impact of COVID-19 will continue into 2022, even with a vaccine and therapeutics. The "new normal" will not return to 2019 but will incorporate technology and management methods developed to adjust to unforeseen challenges. The pandemic has made us all aware of the importance of healthcare delivery and the need to have dedicated people working to ensure our community's health. Healthcare executives will need to have critical competencies to succeed, including leadership, innovation, and a core understanding of healthcare delivery methods. Those entering the profession must rise to the challenge and accept that something will work, and others will not. They will need to be comfortable at a higher level of uncertainty than ever.
What type of skills will young Consultants/Entrepreneur need?
Randy Shearer: Business fundamentals; critical thinking skills; comfortable in the digital space; cost principles is a plus; general accounting.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consultants/Entrepreneur to find work opportunities?
Randy Shearer: The Federal Government will hire you quickly, train you, and give you increased responsibilities and rapid advancement. If you want to lay down core buying fundamentals - the federal government does that - beginning from day one.
What experience really stands out on Consultant/Entrepreneur resumes?
Kara Glenn: Results. Prove the impact your work made on a project.
What Consultant/Entrepreneur skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kara Glenn: Focus on the digital sphere. Learn more about SEO, Paid Social Media Advertising, AdWords, Head mapping, and user experience.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Consultants/Entrepreneur in the next 3-5 years?
Kara Glenn: Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality has a lot of practical applications for our industry. Using a phone to see the real-world environment with enhanced computer-generated visuals will allow users to test lipstick colors, try on sunglasses, and even see what furniture would look like in their home. - The technology is ready; we have to start using it.