{"id":1365,"date":"2022-09-15T19:41:24","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T19:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=1365"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:09:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:09:39","slug":"it-consultant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/careers\/it-consultant","title":{"rendered":"IT Consultant: Definition and Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Information technology is a vast and growing field full of career opportunities \u2014 one of which is working as an information technology (IT) consultant. This person often plays an integral role in helping a company manage its IT infrastructure and advises leaders on how technology can influence the business\u2019s success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide will help you learn more about the ins and outs of being an IT consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an IT Consultant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An IT consultant helps companies achieve their business goals or solve a business problem. They advise companies on using their existing technology to the fullest or help them decide what new technologies to invest in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Robert Douglas, president of PlanetMagpie Consulting, an IT consulting firm, says, \u201cAll consulting is based around a business need. You talk with a CEO, CFO, or CIO and ask what the long-term plan is. How does IT meet the plan without it falling apart or being behind schedule?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He offers this example. \u201cSay it\u2019s a merger and acquisition<\/a>. You have to move the company from one system to the other overnight and report it to the stock exchange. At 12:01 a.m., the merger has to be fully engaged inside the new IT infrastructure.\u201d The consultant creates the migration plan and makes sure it executes on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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Is an IT Consultant the Same as a Technology Consultant?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

IT consultants are similar to, but not the same as, a technology consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though IT consultants work with technology and advise their clients on how to use it, an IT consultant generally focuses on information technology and infrastructure \u2014 specifically, how it’s currently being used, how the company could improve it, and so on. A technology consultant may offer advice on IT, but technology consultants generally provide broad guidance about all the technology a company is using or may want to use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if a company is interested in using artificial intelligence<\/a> (AI), the technology consultant would rate the available AI tools and steer the company toward a good match or even away from AI if the technology consultant doesn’t believe it’s a good fit. The IT consultant would ensure the company’s existing infrastructure can support whatever AI tool the company ultimately uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Does an IT Consultant Make?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Glassdoor<\/a>, the estimated total pay for IT consultants is around $84,000 per year. However, this estimate covers entry-level to senior IT consultants. The estimated pay range is a bit different when broken down by years of experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Years of Experience<\/th>Estimated Pay Range<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
<\/td>0-1<\/td>$51,000 – $85,000<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>1-3<\/td>$54,000 – $91,000<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>4-6<\/td>$62,000 – $104,000<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>7-9<\/td>$66,000 – $113,000<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>10-14<\/td>$73,000 – $124,000<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>15 or more<\/td>$80,000 – $137,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Does an IT Consultant Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IT consultants help companies identify technology problems and implement solutions. They often coordinate their efforts with internal IT staff on a wide range of projects, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n