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The differences between subject matter experts and business 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 subject matter expert and a business consultant. Additionally, a subject matter expert has an average salary of $103,749, which is higher than the $87,214 average annual salary of a business consultant.
The top three skills for a subject matter expert include SME, project management and DOD. The most important skills for a business consultant are data analysis, project management, and strong analytical.
| Subject Matter Expert | Business Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $103,749 | $87,214 |
| Hourly rate | $49.88 | $41.93 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 58,235 | 128,033 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A subject matter expert is someone who has special knowledge and expertise about a specific process or service, providing advice to other team members or directly assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns. Subject matter experts coordinate on planning strategic procedures to improve the work processes and ensure customer satisfaction. They are also active in participating in learning programs and training sessions to share their knowledge and best practices for their specialization. Subject matter experts identify potential business opportunities to generate more revenues for the business and achieve its profitability goals.
A business consultant is an individual who works directly with business owners on developing a business plan and identifying their marketing needs. Business consultants offer business owners a wide range of services, such as supplementing existing staff, provide expertise in a specific market, and influencing other people. To increase revenue in business, business consultants should have experience success with the previous business owners. Business consultants must also have a bachelor's degree in business management and received years of field training.
Subject matter experts and business consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Subject Matter Expert | Business Consultant | |
| Average salary | $103,749 | $87,214 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $146,000 | Between $64,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Apple | ZS |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a subject matter expert and a business consultant in terms of educational background:
| Subject Matter Expert | Business Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between subject matter experts' and business consultants' demographics:
| Subject Matter Expert | Business Consultant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% | Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 12.1% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 13.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |