data/AI consultant vs product based data scientist

How does the role of an AI/Data consultant differs from the role of a data scientist in a product-based company? 

I am posting this question and I would like to understand the different in order to weed out some of the AI consultant jobs openings that I am looking at. I am trying to understand the difference. There is so much information and variations of information. I am having hard time deciphering basic points. 

Some of the understanding that I have (if I am wrong please correct)

-AI/ Data consultant can work on various projects for various background increases their breadth and not necessarily depth where as data scientist in product based focus on one product that the company is working on until the product is launched and succeeded. So, they get depth and maybe less breadth.  Also with that Consultant in AI/Data firms job might more a plan from data they recieved from the client and offer their suggestions but not a guarantee the client will listen. The data scientist is responsible for providing answers to help launch and follow thorough until the product has been launched. 

Is this correct? do you have more you add? Or point an article that discusses the basics. 

1 Comments
 

Perferendis quo qui perferendis. Nesciunt provident aspernatur placeat velit. Cum omnis minima in delectus est. Sint enim libero voluptate nisi. Voluptas qui ad porro molestiae dolor.

Doloribus sunt sint placeat enim harum dicta amet rerum. Et dolor et illum aperiam quibusdam. Facere eos doloribus possimus et cupiditate quos.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (54) $246
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (576) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”