What Is Technology Consulting?

Key takeaways

Technology consulting provides companies with guidance on types of technology to improve performance, including IT, cybersecurity, and AI. 

• According to Glassdoor, technology consultants make a median total salary of $154,000 [1].

• In addition to offering guidance on new tech, technology consultants spearhead infrastructure planning, perform risk analysis of new software before it’s implemented, and coordinate software maintenance and support.

• You can become a technology consultant by earning a degree in computer science or computer engineering.

Explore technology consulting in more detail and get tips on preparing for one of the possible roles you could get with the right skills, experience, and training. Afterward, consider enrolling in the Information Technology (IT) Cloud Fundamentals Specialization. In as little as two months, you can learn about software management, including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting techniques. Beginner-friendly, this program also covers the basics of cloud computing, databases, and computer networks. Upon completion, you can add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What is technology consulting?

When companies have questions about the types of technology they should access, how to use them, and how they can improve their business, many hire a technology consultant. While specific services depend on each client, general technology consulting services offered by professionals in this role include:

• Giving advice on new types of technology to acquire

• Providing cost estimates for the incorporation of new technology

• Developing ways to integrate new technology and helping with integration

• Offering strategies for optimizing current technology

• Monitoring new and current technology to ensure alignment with company goals

What is the role of a technology consultant?

To better understand the role of a technology consultant, it helps to know more about a typical workday. Tasks and responsibilities you might have in this job include:

• IT infrastructure planning and presentation of plans

• Risk analysis for the integration of new technology

• Development and setup of custom software

• Software maintenance and support

• Employee training on new software systems

• Collaboration with company stakeholders, department heads, and employees 

IT consulting vs. tech consulting vs. management consulting

Depending on their company type, goals, and structure, businesses need different types of consultants. Knowing the difference between an IT consultant, a technology consultant, and a management consultant might help you decide which career path you want to pursue.

An IT consultant focuses primarily on helping companies improve performance by implementing and managing information technology. In contrast, a technology consultant helps companies implement and manage many types of technology to improve performance, including IT, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and more. Rather than focusing on using technology to improve company performance, a management consultant focuses on improving company performance as a whole by examining the different parts of a business, like organizational structure, human resources, and company finances. 

Read more: How to Become an Information Technology Consultant

Technology consultant salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the median total annual salary earned by a technology consultant is $154,000 [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in computers and information technology should grow much faster than the average from 2024 to 2034, compared to jobs in other employment sectors [2]. 

Do tech consultants make a lot of money?

The average weekly salary for full-time workers in the United States is $1,204, or $62,608 per year, according to the BLS [3]. With that in mind, the median total salary of $154,000 earned by technology consultants could be considered a lot of money [1]. Tech consultants with zero to one years of experience in the field earn a median total pay of $108,000, and those with 15 or more years of experience earn a median total pay of $185,000, per Glassdoor [1]. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. 

Types of technology consultants

Companies can hire various types of technology consultants depending on their needs. Some common roles include cybersecurity, IT, and software development consultants. Explore how median total salaries and requirements differ for each position. 

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of April 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Cybersecurity consultant

Median annual US total salary: $156,000 [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or IT; advanced technological and security expertise needed; some employers may prefer you to have an advanced degree

IT consultant

Median annual US total salary: $111,000 [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, cybersecurity, data science, management systems, or a related field; deep knowledge of technology and data analytics needed; some jobs may require a graduate degree

Software developer consultant 

Median annual US total salary: $136,000 [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related field; expertise in multiple programming languages needed; a graduate degree might make you more marketable as a job candidate

What kinds of companies benefit from technology consulting?

Technology consulting can benefit companies across various industries, from agriculture and energy to gaming and design. Some common types of companies that use technology consultants include:

• Accounting firms

• E-commerce companies

• Educational institutions

• Health care providers

• Law firms

• Manufacturing companies

• Real estate firms

How to become a technology consultant

Planning your career roadmap, including education, earning credentials, and gaining experience, can be an effective career strategy. If you decide to work toward a career in technology consulting, a few key steps might help you stay on course. 

Earn a college degree.

A college degree in the right subject might set you apart from other job candidates when applying for a technology consultant position. Common majors that benefit technology consultants include:

• Computer engineering

• Computer science

• Information technology

Acquire certifications.

Provided through professional associations or esteemed companies, certifications show you’ve learned valuable skills associated with specific work. Good certifications that can help you start a career in tech include:

• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+: This entry-level certification offered by CompTIA provides knowledge and skills in computer hardware and networking, operating systems and mobile devices, operational procedures, cloud computing, security, and troubleshooting.

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): This entry-level credential offered by Cisco provides knowledge and skills in networking equipment, configuration, and troubleshooting; security threat identification; automation; and IP services.

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): This entry-level certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) can help prepare you for all kinds of tech-related projects through project management fundamentals, predictive project management strategies, Agile principles, and business analysis.

Gain related work experience. 

To gain work experience that can help boost your career skills, consider applying for an internship at a firm specializing in technology consulting, software development, or a related field. To find an internship, consider these strategies:

• Check online job sites.

• Attend local career fairs.

• Ask fellow students or college professors.

• Inquire at your college career center.

• Reach out to your networks, both personal and professional.

You can also gain related work experience for a technology consultant position by becoming a student technology consultant at your college or university, or by applying for entry-level IT positions after you graduate, like:

• Computer technician

• IT support specialist

• Systems administrator

Build your knowledge for a technology consulting career

Explore career paths, assess your skills, and connect with resume guidance while browsing our Career Resources Hub. Or, if you want to learn more about information technology, check out these free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Frontier Technology: The Future Is Now—Are You Ready?

• Find a course: Which IT Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Learn from experts: Future-Proofing Your Business Strategy with GenAI

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