Implementation consultant vs strategy consultant

The differences between implementation consultants and strategy consultants 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 strategy consultant. Additionally, a strategy consultant has an average salary of $115,244, 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 strategy consultant are healthcare, project management, and develop recommendations.

Implementation consultant vs strategy consultant overview

	Implementation Consultant	Strategy Consultant
Yearly salary	$80,195	$115,244
Hourly rate	$38.56	$55.41
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	70,450	70,241
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

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 strategy consultant do?

A strategy consultant specializes in examining and analyzing business processes to identify areas needing improvement, ensuring to provide strategies for optimal performance. A strategy consultant may work as a member of a company or as a freelancer. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around discussing business vision and goals with clients, assessing the workflow and the workforce of a company, observing competitors, identifying risks, and recommending strategies for profitable growth and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, as a strategy consultant, it is essential to adhere to the company's vision and mission throughout the process.

Implementation consultant vs strategy consultant salary

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

	Implementation Consultant	Strategy Consultant
Average salary	$80,195	$115,244
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $108,000	Between $87,000 And $151,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Finance

Differences between implementation consultant and strategy consultant education

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

	Implementation Consultant	Strategy Consultant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Implementation consultant vs strategy consultant demographics

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

	Implementation Consultant	Strategy Consultant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2%	Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9%
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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.5% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between implementation consultant and strategy consultant 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.

Strategy consultant example responsibilities.

Lead project to ensure integration of CMS and other regulations (HIPAA etc . )
Achieve SOX compliance requirements across organization.
Manage the remediation process using SDLC methodology.
Develop and manage all front-of-house operations / logistics including guest control planning, security, celebrity appearances and executive presentations.
Develop and manage value-based pricing strategy that maximize profitability and marketability of limited-inventory advertising portfolio.
Provide business development and growth direction to technology focuse entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Implementation consultant vs strategy consultant skills

Common implementation consultant skills

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

Common strategy consultant skills

Healthcare, 7%
Project Management, 6%
Develop Recommendations, 6%
Client Facing, 5%
Market Research, 5%
Business Development, 4%

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Implementation Consultant
Implementation Consultant vs Strategy Consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

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