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Applications project manager vs technical project manager

The differences between applications project managers and technical project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an applications project manager and a technical project manager. Additionally, a technical project manager has an average salary of $108,205, which is higher than the $101,626 average annual salary of an applications project manager.

The top three skills for an applications project manager include project management, scrum and application development. The most important skills for a technical project manager are project management, technical project, and scrum.

Applications project manager vs technical project manager overview

Applications Project ManagerTechnical Project Manager
Yearly salary$101,626$108,205
Hourly rate$48.86$52.02
Growth rate-16%
Number of jobs138,679209,820
Job satisfaction-1
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does an applications project manager do?

In the information technology industry, an applications project manager is primarily in charge of supervising the efforts in managing development projects for applications and systems. Their responsibilities include managing project development teams, setting objectives and guidelines, overseeing budgets and schedules, and developing strategies to optimize project operations. They may also conduct installations, upgrades, modifications, and perform regular maintenance checks, conducting repairs as needed. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a technical project manager do?

The role of technical project managers is to oversee the planning and management of projects within a company. They are considered as the lead subject matter expert in terms of technology concerns. They have varied duties that include ensuring the completion of projects within an established budget and time frame, hiring and training support members, and improving resource management and project planning. They also communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with other departments, all to attain a common goal.

Applications project manager vs technical project manager salary

Applications project managers and technical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Applications Project ManagerTechnical Project Manager
Average salary$101,626$108,205
Salary rangeBetween $81,000 And $126,000Between $81,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMRI SoftwareSheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between applications project manager and technical project manager education

There are a few differences between an applications project manager and a technical project manager in terms of educational background:

Applications Project ManagerTechnical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Applications project manager vs technical project manager demographics

Here are the differences between applications project managers' and technical project managers' demographics:

Applications Project ManagerTechnical Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 64.5% Female, 35.5%Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between applications project manager and technical project manager duties and responsibilities

Applications project manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage development team, technical support team, as well as training, technical writing and QA departments.
  • Manage and develop mini applications for the company's SharePoint intranet system.
  • Manage the training, technical writing and QA departments to effectively deliver user documentation, and business documentation.
  • Lead cross-functional project teams comprise of development, analysis, architecture, quality assurance, implementation, documentation and training resources.
  • Support preparation for ERP migration to a new system.
  • Develop a standard services API customers can use to integrate with MSA's flagship cable television ERP solution (Gabriel).
  • Show more

Technical project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage project plan with PeopleSoft support team.
  • Manage development through launch of first-ever Microsoft OS touchscreen and keyboard smartphone.
  • Lead the complete system re-write of the mission critical enterprise POS retail system.
  • Manage the daily operations and support of the legacy systems while PeopleSoft are implemented.
  • Help manage the project to install a new Cisco VOIP solution for the entire district.
  • Manage, analyze, and enhance pricing program operational control processes and develop SOX controls and documentation over this process.
  • Show more

Applications project manager vs technical project manager skills

Common applications project manager skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • Scrum, 6%
  • Application Development, 5%
  • Project Scope, 5%
  • CRM, 4%
  • HR, 4%
Common technical project manager skills
  • Project Management, 15%
  • Technical Project, 10%
  • Scrum, 7%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Jira, 5%
  • Software Development, 4%

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