How much does an AI consultant cost?

Direct Answer

AI consultant rates vary by region, experience, and engagement type. In the UK, independent consultants typically charge £900–£1,400 per day (£110–£175 per hour), while US-based consultants often range from $1,200–$2,000 per day ($150–$250 per hour). Senior specialists with deep expertise in machine learning, experimentation, or conversion optimization command the higher end of these ranges.

Pricing Models Explained

Most AI consultants offer three pricing structures:

• Day rates: Best for short sprints, discovery work, or when scope is still evolving. Expect £900–£1,400/day in the UK.
• Project fees: Fixed-price engagements for defined deliverables (e.g., "build a RAG chatbot" or "design an experimentation framework"). Typically £15,000–£50,000+ depending on complexity.
• Retainers: Monthly commitments for ongoing support, typically 20–30% cheaper than day rates. Common for long-term partnerships where you need regular access to expertise.

Our AI Consultant Pricing Guide breaks down these models with real-world examples and when each makes sense.

What Drives Cost Variation

Several factors influence pricing:

• Seniority: Junior consultants (£600–£900/day) vs. senior specialists (£1,200–£1,400+/day)
• Specialization: General AI consulting vs. niche expertise (e.g., LLM fine-tuning, computer vision, experimentation infrastructure)
• Engagement length: Longer engagements often include volume discounts
• Scope complexity: Simple automation vs. enterprise-grade AI systems with governance requirements
• Geographic market: London and major tech hubs command premium rates

Example Engagement Costs

A mid-size e-commerce company hired an AI consultant for a 3-week workflow automation project. The engagement included discovery (3 days), implementation (10 days), and training (2 days), totaling £17,250 at £1,150/day. The consultant delivered a RAG-powered customer support chatbot that reduced manual ticket volume by 60% and paid for itself within 4 months.

Takeaway & Related Answers

Budget £4,500–£7,000 for a focused week, or negotiate a monthly retainer once you have a roadmap. The best value comes from consultants who combine strategy, implementation, and measurement—ensuring you pay for outcomes, not just hours.

• Read the complete AI Consultant Pricing Guide (2025)
• How much does an AI consultant cost in the UK?
• What does an AI consultant actually do?
• See Nicola Lazzari's pricing tracks