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The differences between configuration managers and release managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a configuration manager and a release manager. Additionally, a configuration manager has an average salary of $112,553, which is higher than the $109,886 average annual salary of a release manager.
The top three skills for a configuration manager include database, version control and infrastructure. The most important skills for a release manager are release management, project management, and software development.
| Configuration Manager | Release Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $112,553 | $109,886 |
| Hourly rate | $54.11 | $52.83 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 5,071 | 38,547 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 release manager is responsible for supervising project releases across various platforms by closely coordinating with technology and project teams, ensuring the stability and efficiency of outputs according to clients' specifications and business needs. Release managers handle the delivery management procedures from conceptualization to production, maintaining budget requirements and adherence to timetables. They also perform quality check processes to identify possible defects and inconsistencies with the deliverables and adjusting initial project plans as needed.
Configuration managers and release managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Configuration Manager | Release Manager | |
| Average salary | $112,553 | $109,886 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $164,000 | Between $81,000 And $147,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Retail |
There are a few differences between a configuration manager and a release manager in terms of educational background:
| Configuration Manager | Release Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between configuration managers' and release managers' demographics:
| Configuration Manager | Release Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5% | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |