IT consultants are very much in demand after the revival of the economy. This article provides information about their salary range and job description.
Information technology sector has seen tremendous growth in the last decade. The demand for quality software services is present in all sectors of the economy. People have realized how the right kind of software can make their business easier to manage and can help satisfy their customers/clients to a great extent. So, as a result of this demand, software companies are poised for fast and explosive growth and this itself has created plenty of job opportunities in this sector. The job of an IT consultant is one of the most lucrative and coveted jobs in the software industry.
Duties
The primary responsibility of an IT consultant is to help clients understand how to make best use of information technology in their business. They not only design and install new systems for the clients, but also test them. Additionally, they take special efforts to help customers understand how to use a particular software. They achieve this by presenting the customers with correct and professionally written documentation and up-to-date reports.
Their duties also include providing security management, technical support and explaining the configuration of systems. Troubleshooting is an important aspect of the job and this requires them to possess excellent problem solving skills.
IT consultants need to be extremely talented and qualified. If you look at the entry-level or junior associate salary, you will find that it is much higher as compared to other fields. In order to become an IT consultant, you need to have a graduation degree in the field of information technology, computer science or engineering. However, to get the best jobs in the industry, a master’s degree is a prerequisite. Most consultant jobs require you to have at least three to five years of experience in the IT industry.
IT Consultant Salary
The IT consultant salary range has shown a growing trend over the years. The average salary depends on factors such as educational qualifications, type of employer, place of employment, experience and skills. Candidates with around three years of experience can earn anything between $50,000 to $62,000 per year as per various salary surveys. Those with three to five years of experience can expect to earn around $60,000 to $75,000 per year in top companies.
For highly experienced IT consultants, salary range may extend from $70,000 to $120,000 per year. Those who have Microsoft or Java certifications can earn even higher salaries in the corporate world. The growing need for software in the healthcare industry in the past few years has led to high salaries of healthcare IT consultants. As per media reports, the senior consultant salary is around 30 – 60% higher as compared to that drawn by junior level consultants.
Candidates working for multinational IT giants can get paid much more as compared to those working in small IT firms. Salaries are higher for professionals in metropolitan cities as compared to small cities. After gaining work experience in a firm, consultants can start their independent business and attract more clients operating in different industries. Self employed and established IT consultants can earn up to $100,000 per year.
If you are interested in pursuing an exciting and challenging career in the field of information technology, then this job can be a good option. With tremendous growth potential, and a competitive salary, you will find ample opportunities to climb the ladder of success in this field. All the best for your career!