What is a performance consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Robin Cormier

Just as the name implies, a performance consultant works with organizations to assist with improving project and process initiatives. You are expected to identify operational business areas that need improvement. To do this, you will be required to propose appropriate action plans for the area that needs improvement. You are to work closely with the management to discuss performance improvement initiatives. You are also expected to develop a performance improvement plan based on business objectives. Your idea and opinion matter; therefore, you are to participate and attend business planning meetings and set aside business needs and goals.

You must also stay updated with all business activities and procedures to understand how to assess business challenges and a way to solve them. Other responsibilities include working with management to develop curriculum and courses for performance improvement and building resource training plans to achieve operational business goals and financial goals.

Superb communication skills, excellent customer service skills, and experience in project management are essential skills of a performance consultant. The average salary of a performance consultant annually is $81,000 or $28.93 per hour. To become a qualified applicant, you must have a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Business, or other related fields.

What general advice would you give to a Performance Consultant?

Robin Cormier

Assistant Professor, Montana State University - Billings

While college graduates begin to launch their careers, they also face uncertainty about job opportunities. This can be a daunting time in their life. First and foremost, they should be proud of their achievements. There are many steps they can take to prepare for a future career, such as developing a network and building a strong resume. However, in my opinion, the most important advice I would offer new graduates is to pursue their passion. When you are passionate about your career, your life is more fulfilling, and you are more determined to achieve success. Passion shows through how you communicate, develop working relationships, and your level of career investment.
ScorePerformance ConsultantUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $69,327

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.8

Growth Rate 11%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 11.83%

Black or African American 8.55%

Hispanic or Latino 9.23%

Unknown 4.54%

White 65.68%

Gender

female 46.12%

male 53.88%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
2.2

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

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Performance Consultant career paths

Key steps to become a performance consultant

  1. Explore performance consultant education requirements

    Most common performance consultant degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.4 %

    Master's

    22.5 %

    Associate

    5.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific performance consultant skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Process Improvement9.06%
    Customer Service8.07%
    Healthcare7.80%
    Project Management7.24%
    Performance Improvement6.93%
  3. Complete relevant performance consultant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New performance consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a performance consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real performance consultant resumes.
  4. Research performance consultant duties and responsibilities

    • Research and lead the integration of an ERP system for dairy manufacturing.
    • Manage concurrent training development projects using Microsoft SharePoint.
    • Provide daily office support and assist in managing payroll, accounts/aging accounts receivable, review insurance denials and balance payments.
    • Manage a team responsible for designing service-orient application architecture, standards and best practices guidelines, security and data access frameworks.
  5. Prepare your performance consultant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your performance consultant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a performance consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Performance Consultant Resume templates

    Build a professional Performance Consultant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Performance Consultant resume.
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    Performance Consultant Resume
  6. Apply for performance consultant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a performance consultant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Performance Consultant Job

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Average performance consultant salary

The average Performance Consultant salary in the United States is $69,327 per year or $33 per hour. Performance consultant salaries range between $48,000 and $98,000 per year.

Average Performance Consultant Salary
$69,327 Yearly
$33.33 hourly

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How do performance consultants rate their job?

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Performance Consultant reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

As it seeks to solve problems in innovative way

Cons

It needs more patience to apply the true solution and satisfy your client


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

Sharing your experience for the benefit of others. Making the learners feel enriched with their take always from your session. Are able to execute and apply their learnings, successfully.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

OD careers allow for a multitude of projects that go beyond training and development.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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