Implementation consultant vs specialist

The differences between implementation consultants and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an implementation consultant, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an implementation consultant has an average salary of $80,195, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for an implementation consultant include technical support, customer service and erp implementation. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Implementation consultant vs specialist overview

	Implementation Consultant	Specialist
Yearly salary	$80,195	$58,013
Hourly rate	$38.56	$27.89
Growth rate	11%	10%
Number of jobs	70,450	358,433
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	42
Years of experience	4	2

What does an implementation consultant do?

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.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Implementation consultant vs specialist salary

Implementation consultants and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Implementation Consultant	Specialist
Average salary	$80,195	$58,013
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $108,000	Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Jersey City, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	-

Differences between implementation consultant and specialist education

There are a few differences between an implementation consultant and a specialist in terms of educational background:

	Implementation Consultant	Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Stanford University

Implementation consultant vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between implementation consultants' and specialists' demographics:

	Implementation Consultant	Specialist
Average age	44	42
Gender ratio	Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2%	Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	11%

Differences between implementation consultant and specialist duties and responsibilities

Implementation consultant example responsibilities.

Facilitate teams, working directly with healthcare materials managers and executives to achieve non-salary expense reduction.
Utilize extensive payroll and human resource knowledge to coordinate and manage multiple complex implementation projects simultaneously.
Leverage industry experience, negotiation skills and communication competency to engage stakeholders to accomplish a trading system upgrade and database conversion.
Design and written custom reports and product reports using SQL and iReport report designer.
Create and deliver virtual training programs to be deliver via webinar using WebEx technology.
Prioritize user feedback and issues after UAT.

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Specialist example responsibilities.

Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).

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Implementation consultant vs specialist skills

Common implementation consultant skills

Technical Support, 11%
Customer Service, 5%
Erp Implementation, 4%
Implementation Process, 4%
Client Facing, 4%
Project Management, 4%

Common specialist skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 11%
Work Ethic, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Exceptional Client, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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