This article will look at the average hourly IT consulting rates, what factors influence consulting service costs, and how IT consultants set their fees.
In 2020, the global IT consulting market was valued at $53.7 billion, and it is expected to grow to $383 billion by 2026. The increasing adoption of technological trends and the increasing investment in advanced technologies will drive up demand for IT consulting.
Businesses worldwide rely on IT consulting to keep up with technological advancement while remaining cost-effective. IT consultants are experienced professionals in a specific field, and as a result, they are expensive. IT consulting fees can range from $25 to $150 per hour. Rates can reach $250/hour and higher in some areas.
hourly IT consulting rates
Think to know about hourly IT consulting rates
Some businesses prefer to work with software developers, while others seek professional IT consultants. Both of these options are acceptable as long as you receive a high-quality service that meets your needs.
However, if you require a high-level technical specialist, it is preferable to work with IT consultants. They are frequently more experienced and have in-depth technical knowledge in specific areas. For example, in a FinTech product, AI can be used to prevent fraud.
Some IT consultants charge between $85 and $125 per hour for their expert advice. IT is consulting rates vary by country, company size, industry specialization, experience, and other factors.
Hourly IT consulting rates by the Consulting Company Size
Companies of all sizes turn to software consulting to stay competitive and turn technologies into growth drivers.
Furthermore, they invest heavily in software development services to optimize their workflows, reducing time, focusing on core business goals, and saving money on in-house staff.
Since we’ve already discussed companies that use consulting services, it’s time to move to IT service providers. There are numerous consulting firms to choose from, and their rates vary.
Consider the following four types of IT consulting firms:
Rates by the IT Consulting Company Size – consultant rates 2022
Enterprise-level consulting companies
Enterprise firms provide first-rate development and consulting services across various industries. They interact with the government and work with Fortune Global 500 companies that can afford their project rates, ranging from $500,000 to $100 million and up.
The average IT consulting rate for those firms ranges between $250 and $850 per hour, depending on the consultant’s technical expertise, location, skills, and so on.
Large-size consulting companies
They also work with large industrial companies at a lower cost than enterprise-level solutions. The project’s price ranges from $125,000 to $5 million or more. “Big class” firms employ 100 to 1,000 consultants and have offices in multiple countries.
Their hourly rate for IT consulting ranges between $200 and $300.
Medium-size consulting companies
It’s an excellent choice if you want to hire an experienced consultant at a reasonable cost. They have 10 to 100 developers and consultants on staff who serve SMBs and work with Fortune 500 companies on occasion.
IT consulting fees range from $125 to $175 per hour, with project costs ranging from $50,000 to $5 million. Naturally, different regions have different rates.
It’s also a good idea to look at their portfolio on their website or read reviews on Clutch or GoodFirms to ensure you’ll get a good service.
Small-size agencies
These IT firms employ 2 to 10 consultants, including a CEO, and work with startups, small businesses, and mid-sized regional businesses.
Their hourly IT consulting rates range from $75 to $175. The typical project cost ranges between $10,000 and $500,000.
Small outsourcing firms typically specialize in one area, such as UI/UX design, mobile app development, or specific programming languages such as Node.js, React Native, and so on.
Average Hourly IT Consulting Rates by Industry
IT consultants work in almost every industry and have extensive domain knowledge (healthcare, logistics, fintech, blockchain).
Average IT Consulting Rates per hour 2022 by Industry
For example:
- Healthcare
- Logistics
- Finances
- Retail
- Travel
- Education
IT consulting rates are determined by the consultant’s experience and the technology stack they work with.
According to Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest job sites, Java consultants earn an average of $40 per hour. That’s $79,137 per year. According to ZipRecruiter, Java consultants in the United States charge $62 per hour. C# consultants charge between $77,500 and $84,000. On average, this ranges from $30 to $50 per hour.
IT consultant rates per hour by country
According to a Grand View Research report, the United States leads the consulting market regarding IT consulting services provided. Increased investment in ERP, CRM, IoT, Machine Learning, and data analytics is to blame.
As a result, US consultants charge one of the highest hourly rates for IT consulting — $100-$250.
The Asia Pacific region has the world’s second-largest consulting market, which is expected to reach $106 billion by 2024. This is related to the expansion of the e-commerce industry. As the demand for e-commerce services grows, so does the need for mobile and web app development advice.
Europe maintains its third-place position in the global IT consulting market. The European consulting market’s growth is defined by rapid investments in development programs and government support.
For example, Eastern Europe could be the answer if you’re looking for a low-cost offshore location. They provide a high-quality service at a reasonable price.
We examined IT consulting billing rates in various countries, including popular outsourcing destinations such as Western and Eastern Europe. Prices are taken from the platforms UpWork, Clutch, and GoodFirms.
Rates for offshore IT consulting vary by region (comparison)
| Region | Average rate/h |
| United States | $100-$175 |
| Canada | $100-$130 |
| Western Europe | $100-$150 |
| Australia | $80-$120 |
| Eastern Europe | $25-$50 |
| Latin America | $20-$50 |
| Asia | $20-$40 |
| India | $20-$30 |
IT Consulting Fee Structure
The first question to ask when hiring a consultant is how much they charge for their services. IT consultants employ various billing strategies to be as accommodating to their clients as possible.
Consulting Fee Models
IT consulting pricing and fees can be submitted in a variety of ways, including:
- Rates can be hourly or daily.
- Monthly remuneration
- Value-based
- Project-based
Let’s take a closer look at each fee strategy.
Hourly or Daily Rate
Many IT consultants charge hourly rates for their services. They bill based on the number of working hours spent on the project. It’s a popular choice for projects where it is difficult to establish a fixed timeline. Essentially, IT consulting fees per hour vary by location.
The consultant will devote time to the project. IT consultants typically work between 12 and 14 hours per day and charge between $1,500 and $3000.
One disadvantage of hourly rates is that you never know how much you’ll end up paying.
Monthly Retainer
You pay a monthly fee in advance to have consultants on your team whenever you need them and to ensure they assist you in making the right decisions during a risky project.
It’s a good option if you’ve been working with a consulting firm for a while and are ready to continue working with them every month.
Project-Based
The consultant must complete the project within the time frame specified. Most projects have several stages, such as:
- Evaluation of the project
- extensive research
- Analysis
- Development
- Implementation
- Assessment
You may not require expert advice at all stages, but they are still included in IT consulting prices.
The project-based model is more complicated than the hourly model, but you know exactly how much you will pay in advance.
Value-Based
A value-based pricing model is a high-level pricing model. Consultants are compensated based on the project’s monetary value. In other words, you pay for the outcomes and results that the consulting firm produces for you. In general, IT consultants charge 10% of the value of their services.
FAQ on hourly IT consulting rates
How much to charge for IT consulting?
Hourly IT consulting rates are frequently determined by location, company size, experience, and various other factors. For example, the United States has the highest IT consulting rate—$100-$250 per hour, compared to $50/h in Ukraine for the same service.
How to price IT consulting services?
There are four major pricing fee models to choose from:
Rates can be hourly or daily. An IT consultant is compensated based on the number of hours spent working on your project.
Retainers are paid monthly. You pay an upfront monthly fee to get consultant advice wherever you need it Project-based. You pay after the work is completed.
Value-based. Consultants are compensated based on the project’s outcomes.
What is the average IT consulting rate per hour?
The average IT consulting rate per hour varies by location and ranges from $20 to $250 or more. For example, in Eastern Europe, the average IT consulting rate is $25-$50/h.
What is the rate for IT consulting?
The “consulting rate” is the average fee clients will pay for consulting services.
What is the hourly rate for IT consulting
Technology consulting rates per hour: billing based on the number of working hours IT consultants require to complete the project.
What are the industry rates for IT consulting?
Hourly rate: billing based on the number of working hours IT consultants require to complete the project.
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