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The differences between implementation consultants and software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an implementation consultant and a software engineer. Additionally, a software engineer has an average salary of $100,260, which is higher than the $80,195 average annual salary of an implementation consultant.
The top three skills for an implementation consultant include technical support, customer service and erp implementation. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Implementation Consultant | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $80,195 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $38.56 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 70,450 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Implementation consultants and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Implementation Consultant | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $80,195 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $108,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an implementation consultant and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Implementation Consultant | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between implementation consultants' and software engineers' demographics:
| Implementation Consultant | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 8% |