- AI engineers specializing in software development are being hired as business consultants, earning a staggering $900 per hour (approximately 22.2 million VND)—more than double the rate of Big Four consultants (typically $400–600/hour).
- PromptQL, an enterprise AI platform developed by Hasura in San Francisco, is a prime example, paying this rate to its engineers to build and deploy AI agents that analyze internal data using large language models (LLMs).
- CEO Tanmai Gopal stated that clients are not resisting the high price tag; in fact, the company is considering increasing it, arguing the rate reflects the true value of the deep expertise and “intuitive” thinking required to keep up with fast-moving AI technology.
- PromptQL’s client roster includes one of the world’s largest networking companies, major fast food chains, e-commerce platforms, food delivery giants, and a leading B2B enterprise.
- This demand is driving a kind of “salary inflation,” as both startups and large corporations compete for senior AI engineers at an unprecedented pace, according to Oana Iordăchescu of Deep Tech Recruitment.
- Unlike traditional management consultants who focus on strategy, AI consultants not only advise but also execute—debugging models, building pipelines, and integrating AI with legacy infrastructure.
- Rob Howard, CEO of Innovating with AI, says he isn’t surprised by the high pay, noting that his trainees can also earn $400–500/hour after completing AI training or bootcamps.
- However, a recent report from MIT NANDA reveals that 95% of enterprise AI projects fail to deliver rapid revenue impact—not due to the AI models themselves, but because of gaps in organizational understanding and tooling.
- Meanwhile, some young startups (with founders aged 19–20) have scaled from $0 to $20 million in annual revenue by identifying the right pain points, executing quickly, and partnering wisely.
- Jim Johnson of AnswerRocket believes companies are paying a premium like they’re “buying insurance” to avoid becoming part of the 95% failure rate. Still, he predicts this premium won’t last long.
📌 The rise of AI engineers working as consultants for $900/hour is shaking up the consulting industry, far outpacing the Big Four. Companies are willing to pay top dollar because 95% of AI projects fail—they need experts who can both advise and implement. Meanwhile, young startups are proving the opposite: if you solve the right problem, revenue can skyrocket to $20 million in a year. This is a temporary form of “AI insurance,” but it reflects an unprecedented hunger for top AI talent.
