Internet Consultants

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

According to ZipRecruiter.com, information technology consultants employed in January 2025 earned median annual salaries of $103,425 in 2025. Earnings ranged from $21,000 to $247,000 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.