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The differences between consultant/project managers and lead program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead program manager has an average salary of $119,480, which is higher than the $100,754 average annual salary of a consultant/project manager.
The top three skills for a consultant/project manager include project management, project scope and business development. The most important skills for a lead program manager are project management, program management, and portfolio.
| Consultant/Project Manager | Lead Program Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $100,754 | $119,480 |
| Hourly rate | $48.44 | $57.44 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 213,963 | 200,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Consultants/project managers act as planners, leaders, and advisors in business enterprises. These professionals facilitate meetings and establish positive relationships with vendors, management, and clients. They make customer visits, maintain industry knowledge, procure third-party software and hardware, and deliver projects. It is also part of their duty to manage complex initiatives in an individual business unit or organization. Their skills include analytical, time and cost management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and proficiency in project management software.
A lead program manager is responsible for coordinating departmental projects and ensuring that the programs adhere to the business guidelines and functions to achieve long-term goals and objectives. Lead program managers strategize techniques in developing business plans and managing budget allocation across departments. They also coordinate with clients for progress updates and modify program plans as needed. A lead program manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to finalize program outputs and assist the team in resolving project issues and delays.
Consultant/project managers and lead program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Consultant/Project Manager | Lead Program Manager | |
| Average salary | $100,754 | $119,480 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $136,000 | Between $89,000 And $158,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a consultant/project manager and a lead program manager in terms of educational background:
| Consultant/Project Manager | Lead Program Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between consultant/project managers' and lead program managers' demographics:
| Consultant/Project Manager | Lead Program Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6% | Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |