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Sector

Careers in IT Consulting & Services

IT consulting and services helps organizations with technology strategy, implementation, and support. Hybrid work increasingly possible with moderate credentials.

2.5M
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$92K
Median salary
Across all roles
IT Consulting & Services jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
IT Consulting & Services employment by metro · ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ51K
2.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA30K
3.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV29K
4.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX27K
5.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA23K

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

1.San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA1,648.2
2.Boulder, CO1,118.4
3.Huntsville, AL957
4.San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA948.1
5.Durham-Chapel Hill, NC944.6
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in IT Consulting & Services

IT consulting and services help organizations implement and manage technology — there's satisfaction in solving technical problems, variety across clients, and being the expertise companies need when they lack internal resources.

The challenge can come from utilization pressure and constant learning. Consulting requires billable hours; bench time is expensive. Technology changes constantly; staying current is required. Client sites may require travel. Project deadlines create intensity.

The field varies by service type and firm size. Systems integration differs from managed services, cybersecurity, or cloud consulting. Large consultancies operate differently than boutiques or independents. Strategy differs from implementation.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are substantial: technical variety, client exposure, strong demand for tech skills, and consulting compensation. If you enjoy technology, can handle consulting pace, and want IT careers with variety, consulting offers engaging opportunities.

How people break in

Technical skills are foundational. Entry through developer, analyst, or support roles. Consulting skills develop with experience. Certifications help for specific technologies.

Work environment tends toward
Technical expertiseClient serviceProject-basedConsulting skillsContinuous learning
Industries it connects to
Salary vs. national average
+29%
$92K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$37K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all it consulting & services roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$91K
2. Boulder$77K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$74K
4. Trenton-Princeton$70K
5. Durham-Chapel Hill$70K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$71K in mid-market metros to ~$103K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $103K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $88K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $81K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $91K adj.
Boulder · $77K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $74K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 23.6M
Los Angeles · 15.6M
Chicago · 11.4M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in IT Consulting & Services.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Professional Services data
25%
Higher than average turnover. This could indicate challenging conditions, seasonal work, or abundant external opportunities.
3%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
95%
Small
<50
4%
Mid
50–249
1%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Hybrid common
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Professional Services data
~1%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
1%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in IT Consulting & Services

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Technology · IT consulting, software development firms, and tech services companies — building custom solutions and providing technical expertise to clients.
15%
$97K median
Explore →
Engineering · Consulting engineers work on diverse projects across industries. Client variety, complex problems, path to PE license and partnership.
13%
$99K median
Explore →
Business Operations · Consulting firms, law offices, and agencies need you to keep the machine running. Client-facing pressure, high standards, fast pace. You'll learn operational excellence.
11%
$89K median
Explore →
Admin & Office · Law firms, consulting, and agencies run on admin excellence. High expectations, fast pace, client visibility. You'll master systems and become indispensable.
9%
$71K median
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Arts & Media · Advertising agencies, design studios, and production companies. Creative work with commercial deadlines. Portfolio-driven careers with client variety.
9%
$106K median
Explore →
Sales · B2B sales roles selling consulting, legal, accounting, and business services to corporate clients with complex, relationship-driven sales cycles.
5%
$90K median
Explore →
Median salary for occupations employed within IT Consulting & Services. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in IT Consulting & Services

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.