How much should you pay a business consultant?
Across the U.S., small and mid-sized business consultants commonly charge anywhere from about $75 to $300+ per hour, depending on experience, specialization, and the stakes of the work. Entry-level or generalist consultants tend to sit toward the lower end of that range, while seasoned specialists in areas like strategy, organizational design, and transformation often command higher rates.
Many independent consultants also package services into flat-fee projects (for example, $10,000–$50,000+ per engagement), especially when they are solving a clearly defined problem that ties directly to revenue growth, profitability, or risk reduction.
A practical way to decide what you should pay is to start with value, then test it against benchmarks:
Estimate the financial upside: increased revenue, improved margins, reduced churn, or avoided costs over 12–24 months.
Look for at least a 3–5x return on your consulting investment when you implement the recommendations; high-ROI or high-risk work can justify even more.
When evaluating a quote from a business consultant, pay close attention to:
Their depth of experience with companies at your size and stage (for example, early-stage founder-led vs. post–$10M leadership team).
Whether they are offering hourly, daily, project-based, retainer, or value-based pricing—and how that aligns with the clarity you want around budget and outcomes.
How clearly they connect their work to measurable outcomes such as revenue lift, cost savings, or strategic risk mitigation.
At Kindred Consulting Group:
Most engagements begin with a structured diagnostic using the Kindred Clarity Framework, providing a quantified view of your organization and a prioritized roadmap for growth rather than a stack of disconnected recommendations.
From there, strategy design, implementation support, and executive advisory are scoped by our expert team to the specific constraints and levers in your business so you invest in the smallest, highest-impact projects first.
This approach helps leadership teams feel confident that consulting fees are directly tied to real business outcomes - clarity, momentum, and durable growth - rather than vague "advice."
This content is for general informational and illustrative purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or other professional advice. It is not intended to create, and receipt or review does not constitute, any client–professional relationship with Kindred Consulting Group or its representatives. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any information in this content without seeking advice from qualified professionals who are familiar with your specific circumstances. While efforts are made to keep information accurate and up to date, no guarantees are made regarding its completeness, reliability, or suitability, and any use of this information is solely at your own risk.
