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The differences between internal consultants and executive consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an internal consultant, becoming an executive consultant takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, an executive consultant has an average salary of $131,331, which is higher than the $91,097 average annual salary of an internal consultant.
The top three skills for an internal consultant include project management, process improvement and internal controls. The most important skills for an executive consultant are healthcare, business development, and financial services.
| Internal Consultant | Executive Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $91,097 | $131,331 |
| Hourly rate | $43.80 | $63.14 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 70,927 | 118,432 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 10 |
An internal consultant is responsible for providing consultation on the business process and operations to identify key areas of improvement and review its effectiveness to support the business goals and objectives. Internal consultants must have excellent organizational skills and expertise in business planning and project management to strategize and improve existing methodologies that would raise the company's performance. They also develop training and programs necessary for the employees to maximize their productivity and manage efficiency.
An executive consultant gives support and guidance to the company's management team. Their duties may vary depending on each client's needs. Other companies hire consultants to solve a particular problem or assist with operations, employees, or strategic planning. They advise partner companies in business development opportunities to pursue financial goals and financial growth. They can also provide consulting services for non-profit organizations to act as an executive member.
Internal consultants and executive consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Internal Consultant | Executive Consultant | |
| Average salary | $91,097 | $131,331 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $122,000 | Between $90,000 And $190,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Citi | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an internal consultant and an executive consultant in terms of educational background:
| Internal Consultant | Executive Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between internal consultants' and executive consultants' demographics:
| Internal Consultant | Executive Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2% | Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 12.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |