Department director vs wellness director

The differences between department directors and wellness 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 wellness director. Additionally, a department director has an average salary of $97,804, which is higher than the $73,888 average annual salary of a wellness director.

The top three skills for a department director include patient care, patients and healthcare. The most important skills for a wellness director are quality care, home health, and direct supervision.

Department director vs wellness director overview

	Department Director	Wellness Director
Yearly salary	$97,804	$73,888
Hourly rate	$47.02	$35.52
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,424	31,522
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 wellness director do?

Typically working at gyms and health centers, a wellness coordinator utilizes their health and fitness expertise by designing and developing health programs involving workout and diet plans. Among their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify the clients' needs, gathering and analyzing information to determine the strengths and weaknesses of current programs, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also liaise with internal and external parties, coordinate staff, and develop strategies to optimize program operations, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction.

Department director vs wellness director salary

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

	Department Director	Wellness Director
Average salary	$97,804	$73,888
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $148,000	Between $42,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Connecticut
Best paying company	Anna Jaques Hospital	Emma Willard School
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between department director and wellness director education

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

	Department Director	Wellness Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Department director vs wellness director demographics

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

	Department Director	Wellness Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2%	Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between department director and wellness 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.

Wellness director example responsibilities.

Manage resident and facility accounts, budgets, social security applications, and Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Provide staff training and oversight on medication administration and direct patient care.
Provide oversight to ensure appropriate infection control procedures are follow by staff.
Assist in keeping key staff in compliance with CPR certification.
Implement disease management programs for hypertension, diabetes and back injuries.
Process payroll, hire, dismiss, and education to staff.

Department director vs wellness director skills

Common department director skills

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

Common wellness director skills

Quality Care, 15%
Home Health, 14%
Direct Supervision, 14%
CPR, 7%
State Regulations, 6%
Oversight, 6%

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Department Director
Department Director vs Wellness Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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