Internet consultants' earnings vary widely depending on their geographic location, type of work performed, and their experience and reputation. Beginning consultants make around $35,000 per year. Some consultants have salaries that exceed $150,000 a year.

According to PayScale.com, information technology consultants earned median annual salaries of $78,692 in 2016. Earnings ranged from less than $50,000 to $122,000 or more.

Many independent consultants charge by the hour, with fees ranging from $45 an hour to well above $100 an hour. Consultants who work on a contract basis must estimate the hours needed to complete the project and their rate of pay when determining their contract price. Independent consultants must also realize that not all their work time is "billable" time, meaning that general office work, record keeping, billing, maintaining current client contacts, and seeking new business do not generate revenue. This nonbillable time must be factored into contract or hourly rates when determining annual income.

Although independent consultants may be able to generate good contract or hourly fees, they do not receive benefits that may be typical of salaried employees. For example, independent consultants are responsible for their own medical, disability, and life insurances. They do not receive vacation pay, and when they are not working, they are not generating income. Retirement plans must also be self-funded and self-directed.

Internet Consultants

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