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The differences between functional consultants and consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a functional consultant, becoming a consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a functional consultant has an average salary of $85,317, which is higher than the $78,912 average annual salary of a consultant.
The top three skills for a functional consultant include business process, prototyping and ERP. The most important skills for a consultant are customer service, strong analytical, and project management.
| Functional Consultant | Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $85,317 | $78,912 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $37.94 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 51,066 | 171,733 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A functional consultant is responsible for supporting a team of business analysts and software engineers in designing and creating a software system and related computer applications, following the specifications of a client on their software needs. Functional consultants analyze different technological approaches, evaluate technical solutions, and utilize the best system method to meet the requirements of a client efficiently. A functional consultant performs multiple diagnostic tests to ensure the optimal performance of the system. They should also have excellent communication skills, especially in coordinating with the clients on updates and adjustments as needed.
Consultants are individuals who were tapped by a company or an organization to work on a specific activity, depending on their field of expertise. They act as guides for the organization in undertaking projects that are related to their field. Consultants would usually assist organizations in planning, often giving advice when the need arises. They would, at times, take the lead in activities that involve data gathering and interpretation of data gathering results so that they can provide solid recommendations on actions that the organization may undertake. They may also guide the organization in implementing any changes brought about by their consultancy and in evaluating the effectiveness of the changes.
Functional consultants and consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Consultant | Consultant | |
| Average salary | $85,317 | $78,912 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $58,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Workday | L.E.K. Consulting |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a functional consultant and a consultant in terms of educational background:
| Functional Consultant | Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between functional consultants' and consultants' demographics:
| Functional Consultant | Consultant | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 25.2% White, 51.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |