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The differences between area directors and national directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an area director, becoming a national director takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a national director has an average salary of $117,787, which is higher than the $100,433 average annual salary of an area director.
The top three skills for an area director include customer service, patients and home health. The most important skills for a national director are project management, customer service, and healthcare.
| Area Director | National Director | |
| Yearly salary | $100,433 | $117,787 |
| Hourly rate | $48.29 | $56.63 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 47,326 | 53,071 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.
A national director is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing strategic plans for an organization. As the national director, you are expected to oversee the organization's day-to-day operations that include developing business plans and managing departments and staff. Other duties that you perform include evaluating the performance of employees, cultivating good relationships with other decision-makers and leaders, and implementing new strategies to increase profitability. As the national director, you are also responsible for directing and overseeing business development initiatives across the region.
Area directors and national directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Area Director | National Director | |
| Average salary | $100,433 | $117,787 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $182,000 | Between $68,000 And $202,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Vermont |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an area director and a national director in terms of educational background:
| Area Director | National Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between area directors' and national directors' demographics:
| Area Director | National Director | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1% | Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 7% |