Department director vs unit director

The differences between department directors and unit 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 department director and a unit director. Additionally, a department director has an average salary of $97,804, which is higher than the $74,346 average annual salary of a unit director.

The top three skills for a department director include patient care, patients and healthcare. The most important skills for a unit director are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Department director vs unit director overview

	Department Director	Unit Director
Yearly salary	$97,804	$74,346
Hourly rate	$47.02	$35.74
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,424	41,585
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department director do?

A Department Director spearheads and oversees the operations of a department, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although their responsibilities vary upon the functions of a department, they typically have the power to decide on projects and programs. Their responsibilities include setting goals, establishing budgets and guidelines, representing the department at meetings and media coverages, liaising with external business partners, managing staff, and monitoring the progress of operations. Moreover, a Department Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a unit director do?

A unit director is a management professional who is responsible for directing and managing a group of medical professionals in an organization. This director must manage the daily clinical and administrative duties for those professionals involved in the mental health hospitalization programs. The director must assist in recruiting healthcare professionals to maximize the branch and margin profits of the medical establishment. This director should also attend meetings with the OCFS program to discuss the performance and outcome measures of the program.

Department director vs unit director salary

Department directors and unit directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Director	Unit Director
Average salary	$97,804	$74,346
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $148,000	Between $42,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Fairfield, CT
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Connecticut
Best paying company	Anna Jaques Hospital	Palo Alto Networks
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between department director and unit director education

There are a few differences between a department director and a unit director in terms of educational background:

	Department Director	Unit Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Department director vs unit director demographics

Here are the differences between department directors' and unit directors' demographics:

	Department Director	Unit Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2%	Male, 46.0% Female, 54.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between department director and unit director duties and responsibilities

Department director example responsibilities.

Manage and direct bureau operations, and provide oversight of criminal investigations of statewide importance.
Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
Ensure compliance with all CMS regulations.
Provide public education in the areas of fire department capabilities and history as well as CPR classes.
Follow up and coordination of rehabilitation services.
Cross-Train pre-operative and PACU staff to optimize efficiency.

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Unit director example responsibilities.

Prepare and manage payroll and purchasing, which include balancing of accounts within budgetary limits; establish daily interaction with clients.
Manage operational organizing of stock and equipment, order supplies and oversee building maintenance, cleanliness and security.
Provide case management services to residents in the Alzheimer's unit.
Migrate all operations to a new ERP and retail system with a successful implementation.
Develop and implement a program which assure quality of life for mid- stage Alzheimer's residents.
Oversee labor, as well as, payroll, purchases, complete work orders, and operating supplies.

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Department director vs unit director skills

Common department director skills

Patient Care, 15%
Patients, 14%
Healthcare, 13%
Oversight, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll, 4%

Common unit director skills

Patients, 23%
Patient Care, 21%
Customer Service, 14%
Cleanliness, 7%
Staff Development, 6%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%

Department Director vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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