{"id":8350,"date":"2026-06-01T17:48:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/?post_type=column&p=8350"},"modified":"2026-06-01T17:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T08:48:14","slug":"it-consultant-salaries-how-much-do-they-earn-why-are-they-high-and-whats-the-outlook","status":"publish","type":"column","link":"https:\/\/mirai-works.co.jp\/consulnext\/en\/column\/8350\/","title":{"rendered":"IT Consultant Salaries: How Much Do They Earn, Why Are They High, and What’s the Outlook?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IT consultants are said to be among the highest-paid professionals in the consulting field. So what does the average salary of an actual IT consultant look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we break down the salaries of both salaried IT consultants and freelance IT consultants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also cover average salaries by age group and specialization, making this a useful reference when considering a career change or applying for freelance contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who aspire to become IT consultants, we also explain what the job actually entails<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
IT\u30fbDX\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u306e\u6c42\u4eba\u3092\u898b\u308b<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How Much Do IT Consultants Earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Stacked<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IT consultants are generally considered high earners, but what is the typical salary range?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we introduce the average monthly salary for salaried IT consultants, average annual income by age group, and compensation details for those who go freelance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average Annual Salary for Salaried IT Consultants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While figures vary by region, specialization, and area of expertise, the average monthly salary for salaried IT consultants is around \u00a5500,000, translating to an annual income of just over \u00a56 million<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please refer to the table below for average annual income by age group.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u30b9\u30af\u30ed\u30fc\u30eb\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059 <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
Age Group<\/th>Average Annual Salary (Consultant)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
20s<\/td>\u00a55,000,000<\/td><\/tr>
30s<\/td>\u00a57,300,000<\/td><\/tr>
40s<\/td>\u00a59,000,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For reference, the national average annual income by age group in Japan is as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u30b9\u30af\u30ed\u30fc\u30eb\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059 <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
Age Group<\/th>National Average Annual Income<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
25\u201329<\/td>\u00a53,940,000<\/td><\/tr>
30\u201334<\/td>\u00a54,310,000<\/td><\/tr>
35\u201339<\/td>\u00a54,660,000<\/td><\/tr>
40\u201344<\/td>\u00a55,010,000<\/td><\/tr>
45\u201349<\/td>\u00a55,210,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Source: FY2023 Private Sector Wage Survey (National Tax Agency)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While new graduates may start with an annual salary in the \u00a53 million range, some have reportedly exceeded \u00a56.5 million in their second year. With peak salaries surpassing \u00a512 million, this is clearly a profession where high earnings are achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The figures above are averages. There are many IT consultants in their 20s and 30s who earn over \u00a510 million per year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\uff3c \u8ee2\u8077\u30a8\u30fc\u30b8\u30a7\u30f3\u30c8\u304c\u3054\u76f8\u8ac7\u306b\u4e57\u308a\u307e\u3059 \uff0f<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u7121\u6599\u8ee2\u8077\u76f8\u8ac7\u306b\u7533\u8fbc\u3080<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Average Compensation for Freelance IT Consultants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Among freelance IT consultants, it is not uncommon to earn over \u00a510 million per year<\/strong>. As a freelancer, compensation is received as project fees rather than a salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For typical freelance consultants, compensation is usually presented as a monthly fee based on approximately 160\u2013180 hours of work at 100% utilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our platform, “freeconsultant.jp” operated by Mirai Works Co., Ltd., IT consultant contracts at 100% utilization typically offer monthly fees ranging from \u00a5500,000 to \u00a52,000,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This translates to annual earnings of approximately \u00a56 million to \u00a524 million<\/strong>, with the most common range being \u00a512 million to \u00a516 million \u2014 well above the widely aspirational \u00a510 million mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While freelancers don’t receive employee benefits that come with full-time employment, the higher take-home pay more than compensates. Skilled IT consultants are in high demand<\/strong>, and this strong compensation trend is expected to continue going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u30d5\u30ea\u30fc\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u306e\u65b9\u306f\u3053\u3061\u3089\u3010\u307f\u3089\u3044\u30ef\u30fc\u30af\u30b9\u95a2\u9023\u30b5\u30fc\u30d3\u30b9\u3011\u3000\uff3c\u7d04950\u793e\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306e\u53d6\u5f15\u5b9f\u7e3e\u3042\u308a\uff0f<\/span>
\uff1e\uff1e\u00a0\u30d5\u30ea\u30fc\u30e9\u30f3\u30b9\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306e\u6848\u4ef6\u7d39\u4ecb\u30b5\u30fc\u30d3\u30b9\u3010\u30d5\u30ea\u30fc\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8.jp\u3011<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What Does an IT Consultant Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The role of an IT consultant is to listen to a client company’s management challenges and plan, introduce, and support IT investment strategies accordingly<\/strong>. IT consultants are also responsible for analyzing and selecting the necessary systems, including cost-effectiveness and scheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, the process generally unfolds in the following order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Conduct interviews with executives and project managers at client companies to understand their management challenges and business operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Analyze the gathered information and propose solutions to the issues the company faces<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Form a project team and oversee and drive its execution<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The mission of an IT consultant is to leverage IT tools to solve a client’s management challenges<\/strong>. Naturally, management policies and visions differ significantly from one client to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Job titles within IT consulting are further segmented depending on the methods used to solve problems and the IT tools introduced.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n

    \u3010\u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b\u3011\u5927\u624b\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30c6\u30a3\u30f3\u30b0\u4f1a\u793e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u672a\u7d4c\u9a13\u304b\u3089\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306b\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5<\/a>\uff5c\u7b2c\u4e8c\u65b0\u5352\u3067\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306b\u8ee2\u8077\u3059\u308b\u65b9\u6cd5<\/a>\uff5c\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u7a2e\u985e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u4ed5\u4e8b\u5185\u5bb9<\/a>\uff5cIT\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u6c42\u4eba\u306e\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u672a\u7d4c\u9a13OK\u306e\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u6c42\u4eba\u4e00\u89a7<\/a>\uff5c\u30ea\u30e2\u30fc\u30c8\u53ef\u306e\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u6c42\u4eba\u4e00\u89a7<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    IT Consultant Salaries by Specialization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Three<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Below, we explain IT consultant salaries by area of specialization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SAP Consultant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    An SAP consultant is an IT consultant who specializes in ERP packages developed by the German software company SAP SE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many large enterprises adopt SAP for efficient management, and demand for SAP consultants has been growing in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The end of support for “SAP ERP” is known as the “2025 Problem,” and the full migration to “SAP S\/4HANA” is referred to as the “2027 Problem” \u2014 both of which have caused demand for SAP consultants to surge rapidly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The average annual salary is around \u00a56 million<\/strong>, which is higher than typical IT roles or general consulting positions. Manager-level roles such as project leaders can exceed \u00a510 million<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At SAP Japan<\/strong>, the Japanese subsidiary of SAP SE, consultants can expect an average annual salary of \u00a510.65 million to \u00a512.59 million<\/strong> \u2014 significantly higher still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For freelance SAP consultants working directly with companies, monthly fees of around \u00a51.5 million are commonly offered. Contracts offering \u00a52 million or more are also prominent, making this one of the highest-paying specializations within IT consulting. Annual earnings of \u00a518 million are well within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tSAP\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u4ed5\u4e8b\u5185\u5bb9\u3068\u306f\u3002\u6fc0\u52d9\u3067\u3057\u3093\u3069\u3044\u30fb\u3064\u307e\u3089\u306a\u3044\u3063\u3066\u672c\u5f53\uff1f<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

    ERP Consultant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    An ERP consultant refers to a consultant with deep expertise in ERP packages developed by various vendors<\/strong>. Beyond SAP, knowledge of Oracle’s ERP packages is also beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The role requires the ability to select and optimize the most suitable ERP solution to address a client company’s management challenges, while understanding the necessary workflows and visualizing and analyzing operational flows. Knowledge of management, cost control, taxation, and legal affairs is also advantageous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For junior salaried ERP consultants, annual salaries are said to range from \u00a55 million to \u00a58 million<\/strong>. With dedicated experience in ERP consulting, an annual income of \u00a510 million is entirely achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Freelance ERP consultants are typically offered monthly fees of around \u00a5800,000 to \u00a51.8 million<\/strong>, with an average of approximately \u00a51.2 million per month. Annual earnings of \u00a510 million \u2014 or even \u00a515 million \u2014 are realistically attainable.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\u3010ERP\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u3068\u306f\u3011\u4ed5\u4e8b\u5185\u5bb9\u3084\u8ee2\u8077\u306b\u5f79\u7acb\u3064\u8cc7\u683c\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

    SCM Consultant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    SCM stands for “Supply Chain Management.”<\/strong> A supply chain refers to the entire process from raw material procurement through manufacturing, shipping, and delivery to the end consumer \u2014 in other words, the full flow of “procurement and logistics” is called SCM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An SCM consultant’s mission is to guide companies toward solving management challenges and reducing costs through the lens of SCM<\/strong>. They handle consulting from system selection, proposal, and implementation to ongoing operations \u2014 forecasting, researching, and analyzing the effectiveness of SCM management systems \u2014 and are therefore considered a type of IT consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For salaried roles, annual salaries range widely from \u00a54 million to \u00a513 million<\/strong>, with the most common band being \u00a56 million to \u00a57.5 million. Freelance SCM consultants are commonly offered monthly fees of \u00a5500,000 to \u00a51.5 million<\/strong>. On an annualized basis, this translates to roughly \u00a56 million to \u00a518 million \u2014 a high-earning range.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tSCM\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u3068\u306f\uff1f\u4ed5\u4e8b\u5185\u5bb9\u3084\u5e74\u53ce\u3001\u5c06\u6765\u6027\u3001\u3084\u308a\u304c\u3044\u3092\u89e3\u8aac<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

    CRM Consultant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A CRM consultant is a consultant who specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) systems and tools<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The emergence of CRM consultants is driven by the growing number of channels and tools \u2014 such as e-commerce and social media \u2014 connecting customers and businesses. As more companies adopt CRM systems to centrally manage customer relationships and communications, demand for this expertise has increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Information gathered through CRM is shared and accumulated across employees and teams, supporting marketing, customer nurturing, service improvement, and sales efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Salaried CRM consultants earn approximately \u00a56 million to \u00a58 million per year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Freelance CRM consultants are typically offered monthly fees of \u00a5800,000 to \u00a51.5 million<\/strong>, with \u00a51 million being the most common range. Project management roles are prevalent in this field, and building a track record as a PM or PMO can open the door to even higher compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tCRM\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u696d\u52d9\u5185\u5bb9\u3084\u5e74\u53ce\u306f\uff1f\u5fc5\u8981\u306a\u30b9\u30ad\u30eb\u3068\u5f79\u7acb\u3064\u8cc7\u683c\u3082\u89e3\u8aac<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
    \n

    \u3010\u52df\u96c6\u4e2d\u306e\u30b3\u30f3\u30b5\u30eb\u30bf\u30f3\u30c8\u6c42\u4eba\u3011<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n