ERP developer and consultant: how the job works and how to start
The roleWhat an ERP system is and who works with it
An ERP, or enterprise resource planning system, is the software where a company keeps finance, purchasing, inventory, production and sales in one place. Common platforms are SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and the open-source Odoo.
An ERP consultant maps how a company works and configures the system to match. An ERP developer writes custom modules, reports and integrations when the standard setup is not enough. An ERP specialist, often inside the company, supports users and keeps data clean. A typical project: a mid-size manufacturer moves from spreadsheets to one system, and the team sets up purchasing, stock and invoicing so that an order flows from the warehouse to accounting without manual copying.
The roles overlap a lot, and many people move from one to another during their career.
Day to daySkills and platforms
| Skill | What it is used for every day |
|---|---|
| Odoo, NetSuite, Dynamics 365 | Configuring the platform the client uses |
| Business processes | Understanding finance, stock and production |
| Python, C#, SuiteScript | Writing custom modules and scripts |
| SQL | Reports and data checks |
| APIs and integrations | Connecting e-commerce, banks and logistics |
| Data migration | Moving records from old systems |
Getting startedHow to get into ERP work
A degree in business IT, accounting or computer science helps, but practice counts most. To learn ERP work, choose one platform and one business area, such as finance or inventory.
An ERP course on Odoo or Dynamics plus a free trial system lets you configure a full order-to-invoice flow. Developers then add Python for Odoo or C# for Dynamics. Plan six to twelve months before applying for ERP consultant jobs or ERP developer jobs.
Picked by the Hoorya editorial team: from a first beginner course to advanced level.
Mastering Odoo Development – Technical Fundamentals
Technical basics of Odoo development.
Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
How manufacturing works inside an ERP.
Odoo 17 Technical Course
A full technical Odoo course.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central- Manufacturing
Manufacturing in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Udemy list prices in US dollars. Udemy runs frequent discounts, so a course may cost less in your region.
No budget? Install Odoo Community for free, set up a small company with purchasing, stock and invoicing, and write down every step. That case study works well in interviews.
GrowthCareer path
Most people start as junior consultants or developers at an implementation partner. After three to five years they lead projects or a module, and senior people become solution architects.
Another path leads in-house: the ERP specialist inside a company grows into an IT manager role for business systems.
ERP specialist jobs are common in manufacturing, retail and distribution, and many experienced consultants work freelance.
What you buildWhat this work teaches you
You will learn how money and goods move through a business.
The job also builds patience with users who have worked the same way for years and now need to change.
Pros
- Steady demand across industries
- Work close to business results
- Many freelance options
- Clear certifications for each platform
- Skills transfer between platforms
Cons
- Long and stressful go-live periods
- Messy data from old systems
- Each platform has its own tools
- Change resistance from users
- Less creative than product work
This career often suits the ISTJ type
Take the free Hoorya personality test and see how close your profile is to this specialist’s.
PayERP consultant salary in the US and abroad
First come learning and a job search, or a trainee program at a partner. In the US, ERP developers start in the entry band of the software developer range, $79,850 to $103,050 a year. The ERP consultant salary grows with platform expertise, and senior architects reach $169,000 and more. ERP specialist salary for in-house support roles is usually lower than for consultants.
UnfilteredWhat the work looks like day to day
A typical week includes meetings with finance or warehouse teams, configuration in a test system, writing a small module or report, and testing with real data.
Go-live weekends are the hardest part: final data loads, checks and a busy support period afterward.
Career growth
From junior to project lead or architect, or into in-house IT management.
Job satisfaction
High for people who like business logic and complex systems.
Stability
Every growing company needs one, so demand stays steady.
Work-life balance: fine, 7 out of 10
Regular hours most of the year, with long days before a go-live.
Hybrid work is common. Client visits are part of consulting roles.
