US Professional and Technical Services Sector NAICS 54

Dec 19, 2025 - Boutique Consultancies Challenging Traditional Industry Model

• The traditional consulting giants - McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Deloitte - are increasingly facing competition from small, AI‑driven boutique firms that leverage advanced tools to deliver highly specialized and efficient services at lower costs. These niche consultancies, often founded by alumni of larger firms, concentrate on areas such as pricing strategy, cost reduction, operational efficiency, and AI‑enhanced analytics, directly challenging the dominance of the established players. By offering more targeted and technology-enabled solutions, these boutiques are making high-level consulting more accessible to mid-market clients who may have previously been priced out of traditional engagements. Larger consulting firms are responding by integrating AI into their core service offerings, automating routine tasks, and rethinking the traditional pyramid staffing model. Some are freezing entry-level salaries or reducing back-office roles while simultaneously investing in technology and upskilling employees, reflecting a broader industry-wide shift in how consulting services are structured, delivered, and valued.
• A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study finds that artificial intelligence (AI) is already capable of performing work equal to 11.7% of the US labor market, meaning today’s AI systems could automate tasks now done by roughly one in nine workers. The study uses a new tool called the Iceberg Index, developed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to simulate how 151 million US workers’ skills overlap with thousands of existing AI tools and to measure “technical exposure,” instead of specific predictions of job cuts. When AI capabilities in administrative, financial, and professional services are included, the total exposed wage value reaches about $1.2 trillion. The research highlights that visible AI adoption in tech makes up only 2.2% of that exposure, suggesting much of AI’s potential impact lies beneath the surface. Researchers say the tool can help policymakers tailor reskilling and workforce planning at local levels.

• About 1.1 million American jobs have been cut so far in 2025, up roughly 65% from the same period last year, according to career services company Challenger, Gray & Christmas. In October alone, employers announced about 153,000 cuts, triple the cuts from September and a 140% increase year over year. The largest reductions came from the federal government (~292,000 cuts), followed by technology (~89,000), retail (~80,000), and non-profits (~17,800). Workforce reductions in technology are being driven largely by AI adoption, accounting for over 10,000 cuts so far this year, and contributing to a 36% increase in sector layoffs compared with 2024. Government spending cuts not only affect federal employees, but Department of Government Efficiency reductions to grants and research continue to ripple into the nonprofit sector. Rising tariffs also remain a significant factor in the ongoing wave of workforce reductions.
• A recent McKinsey survey of more than 9,500 US adults found that remote flexibility remains a decisive factor in retaining skilled professionals. About 43% of prime-age employees (25-54) already work remotely, while nearly 60% want that option, creating a 17-point expectation gap that fuels resignations. Seventeen percent of recent quitters left after employers tightened in-office mandates, and three-quarters of college degree holders reject inflexible roles. Among those with bachelor’s degrees, 60% currently work remotely and 75% prefer it, while high-income households (making $100,000+) show even stronger preferences (up to 70% favoring remote work). The survey also found women prefer remote work 8 to 3 points more than men, meaning strict attendance policies can undermine diversity and retention. McKinsey data further link flexibility to performance: 35% of hybrid companies reported double-digit revenue growth versus 28% of office-bound firms. The results suggest that autonomy, not proximity, now defines workplace competitiveness.