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The differences between software consultants and systems consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a software consultant, becoming a systems consultant takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a systems consultant has an average salary of $99,659, which is higher than the $88,605 average annual salary of a software consultant.
The top three skills for a software consultant include web application, database and java. The most important skills for a systems consultant are infrastructure, project management, and C++.
| Software Consultant | Systems Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $88,605 | $99,659 |
| Hourly rate | $42.60 | $47.91 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 275,746 | 134,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
A systems consultant is responsible for advising on the design, plan, and installation of information technology systems for clients. You will analyze data of an organization, determine the requirements of an information system, and define project objectives. Other duties include providing recommendations on the appropriate software, hardware, and systems, designing and installing new software, and organizing and conducting training for end-users. You will also be responsible for preparing test plans and test scripts needed for system testing.
Software consultants and systems consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Consultant | Systems Consultant | |
| Average salary | $88,605 | $99,659 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $115,000 | Between $74,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Silver Peak | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Internet |
There are a few differences between a software consultant and a systems consultant in terms of educational background:
| Software Consultant | Systems Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software consultants' and systems consultants' demographics:
| Software Consultant | Systems Consultant | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% | Male, 75.3% Female, 24.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |