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The differences between functional consultants and implementation 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 an implementation consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a functional consultant has an average salary of $85,317, which is higher than the $80,195 average annual salary of an implementation consultant.
The top three skills for a functional consultant include business process, prototyping and ERP. The most important skills for an implementation consultant are technical support, customer service, and erp implementation.
| Functional Consultant | Implementation Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $85,317 | $80,195 |
| Hourly rate | $41.02 | $38.56 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 51,066 | 70,450 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
An implementation consultant is an individual who travels to various job sites to help clients with the installation of different software and hardware solutions. Implementation consultants must be knowledgeable of the software application so that they can conduct training sessions for internal and external customers. They develop system teaching aids such as training handbooks, demonstration models, and multimedia visual aids. Implementation consultants must also obtain technical certification, particularly on the specific software and hardware they install.
Functional consultants and implementation consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Consultant | Implementation Consultant | |
| Average salary | $85,317 | $80,195 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $110,000 | Between $59,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Workday | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a functional consultant and an implementation consultant in terms of educational background:
| Functional Consultant | Implementation Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between functional consultants' and implementation consultants' demographics:
| Functional Consultant | Implementation Consultant | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 12.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |