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The differences between senior functional consultants and associate 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 senior functional consultant, becoming an associate consultant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior functional consultant has an average salary of $101,774, which is higher than the $73,340 average annual salary of an associate consultant.
The top three skills for a senior functional consultant include prototyping, ERP and business process. The most important skills for an associate consultant are healthcare, customer service, and project management.
As a senior functional consultant, your main aim is to provide solutions to problematic systems in the machinery. You need to make sure that the functional implementation is well-executed. You will be involved in the planning and designing process of software systems. You need to have your technical skill handy so that it'll not be difficult for you to understand the various methods and solutions of the system. Then you can make the structure according to the client's desire.
You will also be responsible for drafting strategies for the functional development of the company. So, you need to have well-drafted solutions with an established process. For you, your client is the most important. This is because your client is the one who will provide you with all requirements.
An associate consultant is responsible for evaluating the project requirements based on clients' specifications, ensuring that the team meets project deliverables efficiently. Associate consultants test system applications and network infrastructure to recommend possible modifications for optimal performance and flawless navigation. They also identify cost-efficient business opportunities to gain more clients and improve overall project management procedures. An associate consultant may also facilitate training programs for the staff to maximize their productivity and hone their potential.
Senior functional consultants and associate consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Functional Consultant | Associate Consultant | |
| Average salary | $101,774 | $73,340 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $123,000 | Between $60,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Oculus | Practice Fusion |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior functional consultant and an associate consultant in terms of educational background:
| Senior Functional Consultant | Associate Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior functional consultants' and associate consultants' demographics:
| Senior Functional Consultant | Associate Consultant | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0% | Male, 55.5% Female, 44.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 25.2% White, 51.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.3% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |