Post job

Chief program officer vs program manager

The differences between chief program officers and program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief program officer has an average salary of $108,110, which is higher than the $96,084 average annual salary of a program manager.

The top three skills for a chief program officer include human resources, oversight and project management. The most important skills for a program manager are project management, program management, and oversight.

Chief program officer vs program manager overview

Chief Program OfficerProgram Manager
Yearly salary$108,110$96,084
Hourly rate$51.98$46.19
Growth rate28%12%
Number of jobs150,634197,556
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience6-

What does a chief program officer do?

The chief program officer (CPO) is responsible for developing, implementing, and supervising a non-profit organization's programming, such as creating an outreach program or job training courses for the homeless. They seek advice from the CEO and other executive managers at the organization on how to enhance the existing programming and services and coordinate new programs. Other duties and responsibilities include managing program implementation and funding, as well as giving guidance to program coordinators, staff, and volunteers. Additionally, they seek feedback and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.

What does a program manager do?

A program manager is responsible for monitoring the project's progress, improving and developing new strategies, and coordinate various projects across the organization to ensure the success of the business objective. Program managers also manage the program's expenses, ensuring that the projects adhere to the budget goals without compromising the quality and accuracy of the result. A program manager should regularly connect with the different teams of every project under the program to keep track of the processes and procedures for the timely delivery of the product.

Chief program officer vs program manager salary

Chief program officers and program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chief Program OfficerProgram Manager
Average salary$108,110$96,084
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $171,000Between $65,000 And $141,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncMeta
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between chief program officer and program manager education

There are a few differences between a chief program officer and a program manager in terms of educational background:

Chief Program OfficerProgram Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Chief program officer vs program manager demographics

Here are the differences between chief program officers' and program managers' demographics:

Chief Program OfficerProgram Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 63.2% Female, 36.8%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage12%10%

Differences between chief program officer and program manager duties and responsibilities

Chief program officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage implementation of referrals, coordinate assignment of new physicians and create support network for transitioning patients during clinic closure.
  • Facilitate PMO strategy sessions and encourage PMO support.
  • Conduct fee analyses relate to Medicaid, Medicare and third party revenue sources.
  • Maintain federal and state medical regulations including Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Prepare program and budget estimates for reports for senior managers responsible for executive oversight of strategic war planning system.
  • Provide oversight to the integration of other U.S. governmental agencies into the USEUCOM exercise program including representatives serving in non-governmental organizations.
  • Show more

Program manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead managed services provider engagement of onshore and offshore interactive development and QA for pharmaceutical marketing department.
  • Lead multiple team workshops and initiate RFP proposals.
  • Manage the work process across projects as per PMI standards.
  • Develop, manage, and oversee EMBA study abroad in-residencies to Asia.
  • Manage content updates for all salesforce marketing materials, print and digital.
  • Manage the service level expectations with client agencies by monitoring and assessment establish KPIs, agreements and contracts.
  • Show more

Chief program officer vs program manager skills

Common chief program officer skills
  • Human Resources, 11%
  • Oversight, 10%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Risk Management, 7%
  • Strategic Plan, 6%
  • Professional Development, 5%
Common program manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Program Management, 11%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Excellent Organizational, 3%

Browse executive management jobs