What Is a Subject Matter Expert? A Career Guide

Key Takeaways

Subject matter experts (SMEs) work with clients or companies to advise, solve problems, and assist with special projects or tasks.

• An SME might work for a company that needs their help, or they might contract their services to a company and work as a consultant.

• Subject matter experts create value through what they know and how effectively they communicate that knowledge to others.

• You can qualify as an SME by building deep expertise in a field through education and hands-on experience.

Explore more about SMEs, including their jobs, duties, skills, salaries, and workplaces. If you're ready to start building skills in strategic thinking and communication, enroll in Dartmouth's Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization. You can explore effective leadership practices, talent development, and ways to apply the ideas in the real world.

What is a subject matter expert?

A subject matter expert is a professional who offers clients or companies extensive knowledge in a specific field or area. Companies typically seek out an SME when they require assistance with a specialized task, project, or challenge. 

An SME might work for a company that needs their help, or they might contract their services to a company and work as a consultant. Becoming an SME typically requires years of education and work experience.

Qualities distinguishing good subject matter experts from exceptional ones include a reputation built on respect and integrity. They can solve problems within the scope of their expertise and explain complex information simply, helping others understand the details and concepts.

What do subject matter experts do?

Organizations often rely on SMEs to provide expert insight, tackle complex challenges, and contribute to high-priority initiatives. Some examples of the duties and responsibilities of an SME include the following:

• Gathering information relative to the task and reviewing it for accuracy

• Reviewing and analyzing reports, charts, graphs, and other relevant documents

• Analyzing company activities related to the task

• Converting technical details into understandable forms for employees and stakeholders

• Providing recommendations regarding goals, policies, or procedures

• Resolving problems related to the project or task

• Creating new documents and other related materials

• Updating company stakeholders on task or project progress

• Instructing employees and stakeholders on new policies and procedures 

• Providing mentorship to company employees

• Documenting activities and processes involved in the task or project

Read more: What Does a Consultant Do?

Subject matter experts in project management

Many companies use SMEs to help manage projects. For instance, when a project manager has a new idea for a project, an SME can save the company time and money by verifying whether or not the idea has validity. An SME can also help define procedures and timelines, help with testing and quality control, and troubleshoot problems that arise on a project. 

Subject matter experts in training and development

An SME also provides value for companies in training and development. Various duties an SME performs in this area include:

• Analyzing training needs

• Assisting a training and development manager with creating training content

• Providing instruction to a training and development manager

• Giving feedback to training participants

Skills you need to be a successful subject matter expert

Subject matter experts benefit from having particular skills and abilities, which in turn benefit the companies that hire them and their stakeholders. These skills and abilities include:

• Communication

• Deep knowledge of the industry

• Experience with research

• Leadership

• Organization

• Problem solving

• Teamwork

• Time management

• Technical writing

Subject matter expert salary

Whether working for a company as a subject matter expert or consultant, you can expect to earn a median total salary of $81,000 in the US [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. The base pay range spans from $48,000 to $89,000, according to Glassdoor.

With experience, that figure increases significantly. The median total pay for an SME with 15 or more years of experience is around $121,000, with a likely base salary range of up to $131,000. Your salary may be influenced by your location, years of experience, education level, and industry.

How to become a subject matter expert

If you have a passion for learning and sharing your knowledge with others, a career as a subject matter expert might be a good fit for you. Although the road to becoming a subject matter expert differs for everyone, you can begin the journey by considering these strategies.

• Choose a field you're passionate about.

• Get a job that allows you to accumulate knowledge and experience in your industry. 

• Find a mentor in your industry who can help you develop a robust knowledge base.

• Earn a master's degree or a PhD in your field.

• Learn new professional skills and enhance the ones you have.

• Build your professional network by attending conferences and other work-related events.

• Get involved with podcasts or social media to build your profile and presence.

• Get certifications in your field, including certifications to train others.

Top industries for subject matter experts

Various industries benefit from the knowledge and skills a subject matter expert provides. Some of these industries include: 

• Accounting

• Architecture

• Customer relations

• Education

• Engineering

• Finance

• Health and wellness

• Human resources

• Information technology (IT)

• Law

• Marketing

• Public relations

• Software development

What qualifies someone as an SME?

You can qualify as an SME when you have an advanced understanding of a specific field or domain-specific expertise in a job. Typically, you develop this knowledge through years of experience or formal education and can reliably explain what it takes to perform that work well. Having current, comprehensive, and credible expertise in the area, rather than general knowledge, is important.

Subject matter expert jobs

A variety of professionals have job duties and responsibilities similar to those of a subject matter expert. Explore four related job titles and potential salaries.

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of January 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Business analysts

Median total pay (US): $106,000 [2]

Business analysts collaborate with companies to evaluate their existing processes and pinpoint areas for improvement, enabling them to overcome challenges and achieve their company goals. Some typical tasks include using SQL to analyze data, understanding business strategies, and using tools for data visualization.

2. Management consultants

Median total pay (US): $152,000 [3]

Management consultants assist organizations in enhancing their business performance by analyzing data, identifying potential risks, and resolving issues. They focus on three areas: project management, in-depth analysis of business goals, and expertise in business domains, such as talent management, marketing, and organizational restructuring.

3. Project managers

Median total pay (US): $105,000 [4]

Project managers plan, execute, manage, and complete projects for companies. They also manage all resources and team members associated with projects. In this role, you'll oversee a project's lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, and end.

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