Guides
Practical, sourced guides for buyers researching AI consulting cost: how to choose, what it costs and where it pays off.
Guide · Hourly ratesAI consultant hourly rates in 2026, from 256 published rate linesWe analysed every AI and machine-learning labour rate on federal GSA schedules and set it beside directory, marketplace and wage data. The middle of the US market sits between $149 and $241 an hour.
Guide · Projects and retainersAI consulting project and retainer pricing in 2026Hourly rates describe labour; projects and retainers are how AI work is actually bought. The published prices for each stage, what they include and the running cost that follows.
Guide · ROIThe ROI of AI consulting, worked out with federal wage dataA return is hours removed times the true cost of an hour, set against the first-year price including running costs. Three worked examples with federal wage data, and the inputs to measure yourself.