Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between solutions consultants and solutions managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a solutions consultant, becoming a solutions manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a solutions manager has an average salary of $122,023, which is higher than the $94,839 average annual salary of a solutions consultant.
The top three skills for a solutions consultant include pre sales, sales process and cloud. The most important skills for a solutions manager are healthcare, cloud, and project management.
| Solutions Consultant | Solutions Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $94,839 | $122,023 |
| Hourly rate | $45.60 | $58.66 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 103,093 | 142,636 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
A solutions consultant is an individual who has an in-depth knowledge of technology that can help a company to overcome issues, increase sales, and have a better connection with their customers. Solutions consultants are responsible for heading the installment of customized software solutions and train dealers and customer sales engineers to administer the customized solution. They represent the company by attending tradeshows and events to demonstrate their company's technology. Solutions consultants must also ensure to demonstrate technical feasibility through beta tests plus trial programs.
A solutions manager oversees the planning and execution of a business project or program. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to discuss their needs and preferences, coordinating with various departments to gather and analyze data, identifying weak areas, and recommending solutions through new processes and policies for optimal service and performance. They may also delegate tasks, assess the workforce, and produce progress reports and presentations. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Solutions consultants and solutions managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Solutions Consultant | Solutions Manager | |
| Average salary | $94,839 | $122,023 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $131,000 | Between $92,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Bruno, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a solutions consultant and a solutions manager in terms of educational background:
| Solutions Consultant | Solutions Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between solutions consultants' and solutions managers' demographics:
| Solutions Consultant | Solutions Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9% | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 13.6% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 13.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 11% |