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The differences between configuration managers and project management specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a configuration manager, becoming a project management specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a configuration manager has an average salary of $112,553, which is higher than the $81,204 average annual salary of a project management specialist.
The top three skills for a configuration manager include database, version control and infrastructure. The most important skills for a project management specialist are PMP, powerpoint, and status reports.
| Configuration Manager | Project Management Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $112,553 | $81,204 |
| Hourly rate | $54.11 | $39.04 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 5,071 | 145,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A configuration manager is in charge of spearheading configuration management procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to optimize operations, coordinating with supervisors and analysts in establishing guidelines, and addressing various issues, resolving them promptly and effectively. They must also manage budgets, schedule audits, monitor the progress of every operation, and recommend improvements as needed. Furthermore, as a configuration manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A project management specialist is an individual who manages an entire project and serves as a point of contact for a client or customer. Project management specialists must provide detailed cost analysis and timetable reports to keep projects on schedule and budget. They must ask for frequent updates from all staff assigned so that they can identify potential problems that may keep projects from being completed on time. Project management specialists must also prepare progress reports of projects and create presentations for senior management.
Configuration managers and project management specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Configuration Manager | Project Management Specialist | |
| Average salary | $112,553 | $81,204 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $164,000 | Between $58,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Bridgewater, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Enbridge |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between a configuration manager and a project management specialist in terms of educational background:
| Configuration Manager | Project Management Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between configuration managers' and project management specialists' demographics:
| Configuration Manager | Project Management Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% | Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |