How much does an AI consultant cost?
By the InTheory team · Updated November 2026
An AI consultant typically costs $100 to $250 an hour in the Denver market, or $3,000 to $15,000 for a defined project such as one automation or an assessment. Small-business support retainers often run $500 to $2,500 a month. Boutique firms charge $150 to $350 an hour, while freelancers start around $75.
What each price level buys
At the low end you usually get a single automation or chatbot set up in an existing tool, with limited discovery. Mid-range projects add process mapping, testing with your data and some training. Higher fees should buy senior judgment: deciding which problem to solve first, saying no to the wrong builds, and measuring results after launch.
Ask what happens after go-live. Many projects fail not in the build but in adoption, when staff quietly return to the old way.
Hidden costs to budget for
Software subscriptions, usage-based AI fees, integration tools such as Zapier or Make, and staff time for testing all sit outside most quotes. So does maintenance when a connected app changes. Ask for a total first-year cost, not just the project fee.
How InTheory prices it
InTheory combines leadership and delivery in plans of $2,500, $5,000 or $7,000 a month for an initial 90 days, with tools and major builds budgeted separately. The Lead + delivery plan includes one scoped workstream, measured against a baseline you agree to in writing.