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Business Advisor, Business Consultant, Business Management Consultant, Certified Management Consultant, Conflict Resolution Specialist, Dispute Resolution Specialist, Finance Consultant, Human Resources Consultant, Information Technology Consultant, Litigation Consultant, Management Advisor, Organizational Change Consultant, Quality Management Consultant, Technology Consultant
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
An organization hires management consultants when it needs:
In general, they:
Sometimes, clients put out a Call for Proposals that includes their needs for a project. Management consultants then submit a Statement of Work (SOW). If the client hires them, they work within the parameters of the SOW.
Most management consultants have specific experience in 1 or more areas, such as:
This experience may translate into one of several specializations.
Finance consultants provide advice on matters such as financial feasibility, pricing securities, business valuation, and economic forecasting.
Human resources consultants provide advice about recruitment practices, compensation and benefits packages, pension funding, workforce diversification, and employee-development programs.
Marketing consultants work with companies seeking innovative ways to understand customers, pricing, and competitors. They analyze how feasible it would be to market new or existing products or services.
Operations consultants help organizations increase productivity by improving business processes.
Organizational change consultants work with clients going through basic changes in the way they operate, manage, and lead the organization.
Quality management consultants help organizations measure and improve the quality of their products and services.
Strategic consultants help organizations create strategic plans for the foreseeable future. This may include developing a change or growth strategy, restructuring, marketing internationally, buying or selling assets, or revitalizing leadership.
Technology consultants help organizations implement new technologies. For more information, see the Information Systems Consultant occupational profile.
Valuation consultants work with lawyers to develop case strategies and financial evidence, and to provide economic analyses.
Management consultants often work long and varied hours. They divide their time between their own offices and clients’ workplaces. They may spend a lot of time travelling, although online meetings have become more and more common.
When observing industrial operations, they must follow the same safety procedures as other visitors and workers.
Management consultants work under deadline stress. They face pressure from clients who expect quick, dramatic, unrealistic results. Within the organization, consultants may have to deal with hostile employees who fear losing their jobs.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in analyzing managerial methods and organization of public and private sector establishments; in conducting research to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial policies and programs, in conducting quality audits, and in developing quality management and quality assurance standards for ISO (International Organization for Standardization) registration
Interest in conducting assessments and proposing, planning and implementing improvements to methods, systems and procedures in areas such as operations, human resources, records management and communications; may supervise contracted researchers and clerical staff
Interest in consulting with senior officials to provide advice on managerial methods and organization of public and private sector establishments
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Management consultants need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 141 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 23, 2023 and Dec 19, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Analyze and provide advice on the managerial methods and organization of an establishment | 113 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Propose improvements to methods, systems and procedures | 101 |
| Tasks: Conduct research to determine efficiency and effectiveness of managerial policies and programs | 100 |
| Tasks: Plan the re-organization of operations | 82 |
| Attention to detail | 78 |
| Tasks: Conduct quality audits and develop quality management and quality assurance standards | 62 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 55 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 52 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 50 |
Management consulting covers many professional and industrial fields. Consultants may have expertise in many areas. Bachelor’s degrees in several disciplines may provide a good background. For example:
Some successful management consultants have years of experience in middle and upper management.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Management consultants are contracted by organizations to provide independent and objective advice. They help organizations achieve their objectives by solving problems, identifying new opportunities, enhancing learning, and implementing change.
Certified Management Consultant is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf].
To call yourself a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), you must be a registered member of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta (CMC-Alberta). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified Management Consultant or use the initials CMC after your name.
The CMC designation is recognized in nearly 50 countries around the world. All regulatory bodies affiliated with the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes recognize the CMC designation.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Management Consultant.
Employers consider professional accreditation an asset. Depending on their area of expertise, management consultants may hold other professional certifications such as:
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Although management consulting is highly competitive, the barrier to entry is low.
Consultants might work at established consulting firms or be self-employed. Those working at consulting firms may become team leaders and later, senior consultants. Only a few rise to senior partner in large firms.
After gaining experience as an employee in a consulting firm, many consultants set up their own firms. Self-employed consultants often start by subcontracting to more established consultants. Even if they were experienced and respected in their former position, this strategy can help them build their own client base.
Self-employed consultants need the appropriate registrations and licences to operate a business. They may need to consider financing for their business. They must market their services constantly to establish and maintain professional credibility.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Professional occupations in business management consulting
2016 NOC: 1122
78.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Management consultants charge fees on an hourly or flat-fee basis. To produce a flat fee, they must consider the project objectives, time, and expenses needed to create a professional work product.
Either way, the rate must account for more than the billable hours spent on the project directly. It must also allow a portion for business development, marketing, professional development, administration, vacations, and all other time needed to operate a business.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $20.19 | $60.89 | $37.83 | $36.98 |
| Overall | $25.14 | $88.56 | $51.25 | $49.90 |
| Top | $30.00 | $126.69 | $65.26 | $59.13 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $99,558 |
|---|---|
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $74,626 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $115,967 |
| Educational Services | $90,535 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $97,877 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $79,435 |
| Public Administration | $97,772 |
Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC-Canada) website: www.cmc-canada.ca
Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Alberta (CMC-Alberta) website: www.cmc-canada.ca/alberta
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
