Pay and opportunities for technology consultants are increasing as companies seek the flexibility and lower cost of hiring them instead of permanent employees. Would you rather be a consultant or an employee? Tell us in the comments below. In fact, technology consulting added more than 70,000 positions last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the first quarter of this year, another 16,000 positions were added. Consulting work appeals to some because it offers access to emerging technologies. Plus, working for different clients on different systems creates challenging and engaging work. That alone may be enough to inspire the kind of job satisfaction you're looking for. Also, moving out of the darker corners of IT and focusing on business solutions that C-level executives want to hear about is never a bad thing. If you can translate your technology experience into business language and illustrate how your solutions address corporate challenges, your audience and career opportunities will increase. And, consulting allows you to have the flexibility to work on longer-term projects or work for multiple customers at the same time -- virtually. Finally, while the shortage of talented developers is turning into one of the year’s biggest headlines, it’s translated to higher salaries. Paychecks for software developers are rising at about twice the rate as the broader tech population's, and consultants typically make more than their full-time counterparts -- an average of $20,000 more. However, bear in mind that can be eaten up by additional expenses like healthcare insurance and taxes. Companies Like Consultants, Consultants Like the Money
Pay and opportunities for technology consultants are increasing as companies seek the flexibility and lower cost of hiring them instead of permanent employees. Would you rather be a consultant or an employee? Tell us in the comments below. In fact, technology consulting added more than 70,000 positions last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the first quarter of this year, another 16,000 positions were added. Consulting work appeals to some because it offers access to emerging technologies. Plus, working for different clients on different systems creates challenging and engaging work. That alone may be enough to inspire the kind of job satisfaction you're looking for. Also, moving out of the darker corners of IT and focusing on business solutions that C-level executives want to hear about is never a bad thing. If you can translate your technology experience into business language and illustrate how your solutions address corporate challenges, your audience and career opportunities will increase. And, consulting allows you to have the flexibility to work on longer-term projects or work for multiple customers at the same time -- virtually. Finally, while the shortage of talented developers is turning into one of the year’s biggest headlines, it’s translated to higher salaries. Paychecks for software developers are rising at about twice the rate as the broader tech population's, and consultants typically make more than their full-time counterparts -- an average of $20,000 more. However, bear in mind that can be eaten up by additional expenses like healthcare insurance and taxes. 
