Clinical program manager vs program director

The differences between clinical program managers and program directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a clinical program manager and a program director. Additionally, a clinical program manager has an average salary of $86,048, which is higher than the $80,664 average annual salary of a program director.

The top three skills for a clinical program manager include patients, clinical program and clinical operations. The most important skills for a program director are oversight, social work, and patients.

Clinical program manager vs program director overview

	Clinical Program Manager	Program Director
Yearly salary	$86,048	$80,664
Hourly rate	$41.37	$38.78
Growth rate	28%	8%
Number of jobs	159,239	82,810
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	47	40
Years of experience	6	6

What does a clinical program manager do?

A clinical program manager is responsible for overseeing clinical trials and procedures, ensuring that the medical operations adhere to the strict safety protocols and internal guidelines of the institution. Clinical program managers address the concerns and discrepancies during the trials and provide recommendations to improve research program procedures and adjust initial resolution plans as needed. They also identify effective sample collection processes, data integration techniques, and data management reports. A clinical program manager inspects the efficiency of laboratory tools and equipment, managing its efficiency to support scientific and medical operations accurately.

What does a program director do?

Program directors are employees who oversee all aspects of a specific program in the company. They usually work in nonprofit organizations or are assigned to a department doing corporate social responsibility activities. Program directors ensure that the program is in line with the company's goals. They also ensure that the resources assigned to the program are properly managed and that all finances are accounted for. They create strategies to ensure the success of the program and communicate these to everyone involved. They lead the implementation and evaluation of the program.

Clinical program manager vs program director salary

Clinical program managers and program directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Program Manager	Program Director
Average salary	$86,048	$80,664
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $126,000	Between $50,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City	San Mateo, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Georgia
Best paying company	Amgen	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Technology

Differences between clinical program manager and program director education

There are a few differences between a clinical program manager and a program director in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Program Manager	Program Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Stanford University

Clinical program manager vs program director demographics

Here are the differences between clinical program managers' and program directors' demographics:

	Clinical Program Manager	Program Director
Average age	47	40
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	12%	14%

Differences between clinical program manager and program director duties and responsibilities

Clinical program manager example responsibilities.

Manage projects and ambulatory system initiatives, and collaborate with system leadership teams to ensure EMR alignment with all regulatory requirements.
Serve as clinical oncology nurse leader to facilitate day-to-day clinical management and care coordination of patients seen regional cancer care programs.
Supervise CRAs at co-monitoring visits ensuring quality.
Advance familiarity in Medicaid require documentation and billing.
Provide transportation and assistance with activities of daily living which focuse on rehabilitation.
Provide direct clinical and vocational rehabilitation services to adults with mental illness, specializing in solution focuse therapy.

Program director example responsibilities.

Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.

Clinical program manager vs program director skills

Common clinical program manager skills

Patients, 14%
Clinical Program, 12%
Clinical Operations, 9%
Patient Care, 7%
Social Work, 7%
Program Development, 4%

Common program director skills

Oversight, 9%
Social Work, 6%
Patients, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Mental Health, 5%
Program Management, 5%

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Clinical Program Manager
Clinical Program Manager vs Program Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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