Consulting Industry Statistics
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 sourced statistics
Consulting spans global strategy firms and millions of independents. The BLS counts over a million management analysts in the US with above-average projected growth, while the freelance boom keeps shifting consulting capacity to independents who invoice for a living. Sources: BLS and Upwork.
Key takeaways
- The US has over 1 million management analysts/consultants (BLS).
- BLS projects about 11% job growth — much faster than average.
- Median pay runs near $100K (BLS Occupational Outlook).
At a glance
Every figure on this page in one table, each linked to its named source. Scroll down for the full context behind each number.
| Figure | What it measures | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1M+ | The US employs more than 1 million management analysts (the BLS occupational category covering consultants). | US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook | 2024 |
| +11% | BLS projects management analyst employment to grow about 11% over the decade — much faster than the all-occupation average. | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| ~$100K | Median annual pay for management analysts runs near $100,000 (BLS). | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| 47% | Business consulting is one of the leading freelance knowledge services — part of the 47% of freelancers providing skilled services (Upwork). | Upwork Freelance Forward | 2023 |
| 40–47% | Independent consultants face the same ~40–47% B2B late-payment rates as other suppliers — with retainer billing the standard defense (Atradius, for context). | Atradius Payment Practices Barometer | 2025 |
The statistics
The US employs more than 1 million management analysts (the BLS occupational category covering consultants).
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook2024
BLS projects management analyst employment to grow about 11% over the decade — much faster than the all-occupation average.
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
Median annual pay for management analysts runs near $100,000 (BLS).
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
Business consulting is one of the leading freelance knowledge services — part of the 47% of freelancers providing skilled services (Upwork).
Source:Upwork Freelance Forward2023
Independent consultants face the same ~40–47% B2B late-payment rates as other suppliers — with retainer billing the standard defense (Atradius, for context).
Source:Atradius Payment Practices Barometer2025
When these numbers don't apply
Aggregate statistics hide a lot. Read these caveats before quoting a figure as if it describes your specific situation.
- BLS 'management analyst' is a proxy category that includes salaried employees, not only independent consultants.
- Median pay reflects employed analysts; independent consulting rates vary far more widely.
- Growth projections are decade-long BLS estimates, not guarantees.
How we compiled this data
Compiled June 2026 from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data on management analysts, Upwork freelance research, and Atradius payment data. BLS figures cover employed analysts; independent consultant counts are additional.
We hand-collected each figure from its original publisher rather than recycling secondary round-ups, cross-checked the headline numbers against the source documents in June 2026, and link every statistic to the report it came from so you can verify it yourself. Where a publisher issues annual updates, we cite the report edition and flag the year inline.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the consulting industry?
The US alone employs over a million management analysts (BLS), with global consulting revenues in the hundreds of billions across strategy, IT, and operations segments.
Is consulting growing?
Yes — BLS projects ~11% growth for management analysts, well above average, and independent consulting grows alongside the broader freelance economy.
How do consultants typically bill?
Monthly retainers for ongoing advisory, fixed fees for defined projects, and day rates for short engagements — usually invoiced in advance with net-15/30 terms.
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