Scrolling through LinkedIn, it seems like almost everyone is "going independent," sharing posts about five-figure retainers and working from Goa. Meanwhile, your parents still believe in the security of a salaried job. If you are an Indian professional in 2025, what would be better - a consultant or an employee?
The truthful answer: consulting is not a glamorous upgrade to a job. Just that it is a different game with different rules.
Generally, consultants in India are able to make good money, for example, sometimes ₹15,000–₹30,000 a day on specialised projects. However, the income is not stable, the client may end the contract anytime without notice, and there is no salary at the end of the month if you are not working.
On paper, an employee may earn less per month, but he will have a predictable cash flow, which is of great importance when one has to pay EMIs, rent and family expenses.
The next biggest difference is that of benefits and safety nets. Being an employee one is entitled to EPF, health insurance, paid leave and in many cases, gratuity and bonuses. These can quietly elevate your real remuneration by 20–30%, even if you never think of them.
If you are a consultant, you do not have any of these things unless you deliberately make them. One has to purchase one's own health insurance, accumulate one's own retirement corpus and have savings for the months when there is no business. The freedom is undeniable, but so is the monetary accountability.
Another point where Instagram and reality differ is lifestyle.
Flexibility is one of the selling points of consulting: you can choose your projects, work from any place, create your own timetable. But in reality, most independent professionals work more than employees as they have to constantly coordinate delivery, client hunting, invoicing, taxes and marketing.
Besides fixed hours, office politics and limited autonomy a job may also offer you colleagues, structure, mentorship and a clearer border between work and personal life.
So, what is the right choice for an Indian job seeker? The majority of people in their first five to seven years will be better off by starting as employees. The employee phase should be used for deep learning, skill-building, industry exposure, networking and financial planning. Once you have a marketable expertise and at least six to twelve months of savings, you can cautiously venture into consulting through side projects.
Often, the best model for Indians today is a hybrid one – holding a stable job while taking on selective consulting or freelance projects on the side. This way, one gets to keep the security and benefits that come with employment while growing a portfolio, gaining a reputation and acquiring a client base. If the side hustle gets to be your full-time job and is stable enough, then with confidence, you can make the leap to full-time consulting later – guided by facts, not fantasies.
Ultimately, do not decide between a consultant and an employee just because one sounds cooler. Make your choice based on where you are in your career, your finances, risk tolerance and long-term goals. Freedom is great, but so is a clear conscience. The best route is the one that allows you to have a good night's rest and fast career growth simultaneously.
