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The differences between application leads and lead program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead program manager has an average salary of $119,480, which is higher than the $112,992 average annual salary of an application lead.
The top three skills for an application lead include java, architecture and emerging technologies. The most important skills for a lead program manager are project management, program management, and portfolio.
| Application Lead | Lead Program Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $112,992 | $119,480 |
| Hourly rate | $54.32 | $57.44 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 163,233 | 200,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
A lead applications developer is in charge of directing the development department in applications design, creation, coding, debugging, and testing. Lead applications developers serve as mentors for lower-level or new software programmers or developers. They supervise the development team members in pair programming, code reviews, and good development principle promotions. Their duties include the coordination of the schedule of development staff. Also, they ensure effective communication between the team members and the other IT functions.
A lead program manager is responsible for coordinating departmental projects and ensuring that the programs adhere to the business guidelines and functions to achieve long-term goals and objectives. Lead program managers strategize techniques in developing business plans and managing budget allocation across departments. They also coordinate with clients for progress updates and modify program plans as needed. A lead program manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to finalize program outputs and assist the team in resolving project issues and delays.
Application leads and lead program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Application Lead | Lead Program Manager | |
| Average salary | $112,992 | $119,480 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $147,000 | Between $89,000 And $158,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between an application lead and a lead program manager in terms of educational background:
| Application Lead | Lead Program Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between application leads' and lead program managers' demographics:
| Application Lead | Lead Program Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3% | Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 22.6% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |