What Is a Technical Consultant? And How to Become One

Technical consultants are experts in their fields, serving as important guides that aid in solving problems that may arise. As a tech consultant, you have information about computer systems and technology that allows you to answer questions, fix issues, and help others.

Technical consultants ensure systems function correctly and are available to answer questions users may have about the product they are using. When you work as a technical consultant, your knowledge of specific systems helps users stay updated on their software and helps implement new technology into the workplace.

Discover more about technical consultants, including salary and job outlook, and how to become one. 

Read more: What Does a Consultant Do?

What does a technical consultant do?

Technical consultants share their knowledge about information technology (IT) with others, sometimes to help guide projects and other times as instructors. As a technical consultant, you should possess a solid foundation in and extensive knowledge of how computer systems work and how to manage them. This helps you answer questions or solve problems that may come up when users interact with the system and technology.

Technical consultant tasks and responsibilities

As a technical consultant, your daily tasks may include:

• Problem-solving: Technical consultants should be familiar with a company or individual's software systems and technology. This expertise will allow you to help pinpoint problems and suggest solutions. As a tech consultant, you provide guidance and expertise on technology-related issues.

• Developing software: Tech consultants are highly knowledgeable about information systems because they also often play a role in developing the software that individuals and organizations use. After creating the software, as a tech consultant, you’ll also ensure it will run smoothly and effectively for anyone using it.

• Testing software and products: You may also be involved in the testing phase, ensuring programs and products work as intended and provide a good user experience. Alternatively, you may provide support for the testing team. During testing, you may be able to identify issues, re-design programs as needed, and then offer potential solutions so that these issues don’t reoccur.

• Analyzing data: Technical consultants analyze data using business intelligence. Business intelligence includes processes and technology that turn data into information you can use to drive business decisions. Data is crucial to further developing software and other products and improving it for future use.

Technical consultant salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for technical consultant in the US is $125,941 per year [2]. This figure includes an average base salary of $101,516 and $24,425 in additional pay. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

Information technology and computer science remain in-demand fields that experts anticipate will continue growing in the years to come. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that computer and information systems managers’ jobs will increase by 15 percent in the decade leading up to 2032 [1]. This growth is faster than the average for all jobs, suggesting ample opportunity for those with the necessary skills and experience. 

How to become a technical consultant

To start your career as a technical consultant, consider getting your degree or training in specific fields, skills, or technologies. Additionally, it’s vital to continue learning in the ever-evolving sphere of information technology even after you’ve completed your formal education.

Education and training

Becoming a technical consultant typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a computer-related field. Many technical consultants also complete additional training in information technology, computer programming, computer engineering, and mathematics to become experts in the field.

According to Zippia, 66 percent of people in this job have a bachelor’s degree, while another 15 percent have a master’s [3]. With more education, you may find the door opens to more opportunities and higher salaries. 

Experience

One of the best ways to improve your career as a technical consultant is to gain experience working in the field. Experience may come in many different forms, such as:

• Internships: Applying for internships in information technology or under a technical consultant who has been in the field for a long time is a great way to increase your knowledge and expertise. It should also allow you to learn more about different software and computer programming to keep your knowledge vast and your flow of learning constant.

• Entry-level positions: Accepting an entry-level position in information technology is a great way to get your career started and gain experience as a technical consultant. Entry-level positions also allow you the opportunity to grow your skills so that you can move up within your specific company or industry. 

• Additional training and certifications: Training and certifications show that you care about learning more about your job and want to improve. Helpful technical consultant certifications include IT Information Library Foundations (ITIL) and Management Consultant Professional (MCP). 

Technical consultant skills

Enhancing your skills is another great way to expand your knowledge as a technical consultant and potentially earn a higher-paying position in the information technology and computer science field. Key skills include:

• Technical expertise: As a technical consultant, you should have a strong foundation in the tasks related to information technology, including designing programs, coding, and providing remote support. Familiarity with the infrastructure of information technology data, including software and hardware, and knowing the ins and outs of hardware systems allows you to solve problems more quickly by finding the source of the problem within the infrastructure.

• Customer service: Technical consultants should be well-versed in dealing with customers and consumers of their products and services. As a tech consultant, you need to be able to communicate with users, help them troubleshoot problems, and provide them with excellent service. Good customer service skills strengthen the relationship between you and the customer, creating a strong foundation of trust.

• Project management: This is an in-demand skill for technical consultants. Depending on your experience, your project management skills may include leading projects, managing cross-team communications, supporting complex programs, leveraging data sources, providing analyses to drive project-related decisions, and employing solid resource management strategies. 

• Business development: Although you will work with technology in this role, you'll be providing guidance and lending your expertise with the goal of supporting a business in meeting its objectives. Part of your job will involve streamlining processes and providing insights into how organizations can increase productivity.

Getting started with Coursera

Working as a tech consultant is a great option if you are an expert in a technical field with skills in business development and project management. Experience and relevant qualifications are crucial in this role. 

If you’re looking to start your career as a technical consultant, consider building your skills and becoming an expert in the field with training on Coursera. For example, you could try Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University to learn the basics or Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization from IBM to develop deeper knowledge.