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The differences between software consultants and consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a software consultant and a consultant. Additionally, a software consultant has an average salary of $88,605, which is higher than the $78,912 average annual salary of a consultant.
The top three skills for a software consultant include web application, database and java. The most important skills for a consultant are customer service, strong analytical, and project management.
| Software Consultant | Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $88,605 | $78,912 |
| Hourly rate | $42.60 | $37.94 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 275,746 | 171,733 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs. They must have excellent knowledge of the technology systems, programming languages, and system codes to create software processes and manage the network systems. A software consultant runs multiple diagnostic tests and creates troubleshooting reports for technical support reference.
Consultants are individuals who were tapped by a company or an organization to work on a specific activity, depending on their field of expertise. They act as guides for the organization in undertaking projects that are related to their field. Consultants would usually assist organizations in planning, often giving advice when the need arises. They would, at times, take the lead in activities that involve data gathering and interpretation of data gathering results so that they can provide solid recommendations on actions that the organization may undertake. They may also guide the organization in implementing any changes brought about by their consultancy and in evaluating the effectiveness of the changes.
Software consultants and consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Consultant | Consultant | |
| Average salary | $88,605 | $78,912 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $115,000 | Between $58,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Silver Peak | L.E.K. Consulting |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software consultant and a consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Consultant | Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between software consultants' and consultants' demographics:
| Software Consultant | Consultant | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |