Pay a higher or lower rate elsewhere if
- You want the lowest published hourly rate (North Star lists $100)
- You want firm-wide strategy from a larger team
- You prefer to be billed after the work
Consult / AI consultant hourly rate
Comparison · checked October 19, 2026
AI consultant hourly rate in 2026: what $75, $100, $150 and $350 an hour buy
Small-business AI consultants that publish rates mostly land between $100 and $350 an hour. The rate matters less than what one hour produces. Here are the published numbers and a plain guide to what each band is for.
Published hourly rates (checked October 19, 2026)
| Rate | Who publishes it | What it covers on their page |
|---|---|---|
| $75 per 30 minutes | AgentHive Inc | Hands-on time by video in your own accounts |
| $100 an hour | North Star AI Consultation | Online coaching, training, tool reviews, and setup |
| $125 an hour | AgentHive Inc | Inside the 10-hour pack ($1,250) |
| $150 an hour | AgentHive Inc; AIessentials | Our standard hour; AIessentials lists $150 an hour for advice |
| $150 to $350 an hour | AIessentials | Its own statement of general market rates for AI consultants |
Each figure is from the publisher's own page. Rates change, so check before you compare.
What an hour is for
- 30 minutes: one question answered properly, or one small setup finished, like an email assistant or a template.
- One hour: a working session on one task, with notes you keep on what was set up and the next step.
- A 10-hour pack: a short project across several sessions, such as connecting two apps and training the team on it.
- Higher hourly bands usually buy strategy across a whole business. That can be worth it, but it is a different job.
What AgentHive Inc charges
AgentHive Inc: a free 30-minute call, then $75 for 30 minutes, $150 an hour, or a 10-hour pack for $1,250 ($125 an hour, $625 up front, the rest when the hours start). Paid on Stripe, no contract. Daniel Graham runs every session by video in your own accounts, one task at a time, for owners anywhere in the US. AI Concierge is the $2,000-a-month retainer if you want someone every month.
Pick AgentHive Inc if
- You want to start with a $75 half hour
- You want hands-on setup, not a report
- You want the price on the page and no contract
Questions
How much does an AI consultant charge per hour?
Firms that publish rates range from $100 an hour (North Star AI Consultation) to $150 an hour (AgentHive Inc, AIessentials). AIessentials puts general market rates at $150 to $350 an hour. Checked October 19, 2026.
Can I buy less than an hour?
Yes. AgentHive Inc sells 30 minutes for $75 after a free 30-minute call.
Is there a cheaper rate for more hours?
The 10-hour pack is $1,250, which works out to $125 an hour. You pay $625 up front and the rest when the hours start.
Sources
Plain-text sources, no outbound links. Each was read on the date shown. Prices change, so check before you compare.
- North Star AI Consultation: northstarconsult.ai/pricing ("Last updated: October 10, 2026"), checked October 19, 2026.
- AIessentials: aiessentials.us, AI Consulting & Team Training page (prices and FAQ), checked October 19, 2026.
- AgentHive Inc: agenthiveinc.com/consult (prices, how it works, FAQ), checked October 19, 2026.