Consulting can still be valuable, but the opportunity cost is higher when you already have good industry progression. The decision should be based on what consulting adds that your current path cannot provide as easily.

Compare the learning rate, variety of problems, senior exposure, network, compensation trajectory, and lifestyle. If your current role already gives you most of those, the consulting premium may be smaller.

You do not need consulting simply because it is a common career accelerator. It should solve a specific development goal for you.