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The differences between bosses and leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a boss, becoming a leader takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a leader has an average salary of $86,964, which is higher than the $32,298 average annual salary of a boss.
The top three skills for a boss include CDL, customer service and safety procedures. The most important skills for a leader are customer service, strong time management, and excellent interpersonal.
| Boss | Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $32,298 | $86,964 |
| Hourly rate | $15.53 | $41.81 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 2,345 | 172,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A boss is responsible for leading the team in performing project operations, designating tasks, and resolving issues and discrepancies that may arise. These leaders implement corporate decisions for the business' best interests and client satisfaction. A boss regularly connects with the employees to determine their needs and concerns and guide them with their professional growth. To be a boss requires excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in encouraging the employees to reach their potentials and identify strategies to maximize their productivity.
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Bosses and leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Boss | Leader | |
| Average salary | $32,298 | $86,964 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $41,000 | Between $49,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | - | Maine |
| Best paying company | - | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a boss and a leader in terms of educational background:
| Boss | Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between bosses' and leaders' demographics:
| Boss | Leader | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |