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The differences between energy consultants and small business consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an energy consultant, becoming a small business consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an energy consultant has an average salary of $81,907, which is higher than the $47,982 average annual salary of a small business consultant.
The top three skills for an energy consultant include renewable energy, project management and energy efficiency. The most important skills for a small business consultant are customer service, business clients, and outbound calls.
| Energy Consultant | Small Business Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $81,907 | $47,982 |
| Hourly rate | $39.38 | $23.07 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 17,538 | 116,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
An energy consultant is responsible for evaluating a company or household's energy consumption to identify alternatives that would minimize energy costs without compromising the quality of resources. Energy consultants analyze the clients' utility bills, inspect the equipment and machinery used for production, and strategizing energy plans to limit energy waste and costing. They also recommend materials with low costs and efficient energy features. An energy consultant must have excellent communication and analytical skills, especially in measuring energy credits and building systems.
A small business consultant specializes in developing and recommending strategies to optimize the daily operations of small businesses. They typically meet with clients to identify their needs and preferences, determine their short and long-term goals, perform market research and analysis to find business or client opportunities, determine the strengths and weaknesses of current processes, and implement solutions against problem areas. They may also conduct risk assessments and help address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a small business consultant must devise a plan to implement the establishment's policies and regulations, suggesting new ones as needed.
Energy consultants and small business consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Energy Consultant | Small Business Consultant | |
| Average salary | $81,907 | $47,982 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $118,000 | Between $34,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Vermont Energy Investment Corporation | - |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between an energy consultant and a small business consultant in terms of educational background:
| Energy Consultant | Small Business Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between energy consultants' and small business consultants' demographics:
| Energy Consultant | Small Business Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.0% Female, 23.0% | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 9.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |