Is a development manager a project manager?

No, a development manager is not a project manager. A development manager, for example, takes responsibility for more of the technical parts of the projects. A project manager, on the other hand, is responsible for managing the project deadline and ensuring the tasks are achieved well in time. Either role can be technical or non-technical.

What degree do you need to be a development manager?

The degree needed to be a development manager is a bachelor's degree. In some cases, development managers go on to earn a master's degree, which can decrease the amount of work experience needed before being promoted to a development manager position.

How To Become A Development Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a development manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

A development manager is an individual responsible for overseeing software development projects. They work with a team to manage the development process and ensure that deadlines are met. Development managers are responsible for creating project plans, setting goals, and monitoring progress throughout the project lifecycle. They work closely with stakeholders to identify project requirements and ensure that the final product meets needs. Development managers also play a key role in managing resources, including budget and equipment.

ScoreDevelopment ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $110,678

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 39.54%

male 60.46%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a development manager?

Pros

Opportunity to lead and mentor a team
Chance to work on diverse projects and technologies
High earning potential and job security
Ability to contribute to product development and innovation
Opportunity for career growth and advancement

Cons

Heavy workload and long hours, especially during project deadlines
High stress levels due to project timelines and budgets
Responsibility for team members' performance and career development
Pressure to balance innovation with practicality and profitability
Need to stay up-to-date with rapidly evolving technology trends

Key steps to become a development manager

Explore development manager education requirements

Most common development manager degrees

Bachelor's

71.5 %

Master's

16.5 %

Associate

7.4 %

Start to develop specific development manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	6.85%
Customer Service	6.02%
Patients	5.91%
Java	5.12%
Database	4.71%

Complete relevant development manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New development managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a development manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real development manager resumes.

Research development manager duties and responsibilities

Thank and recognize donors in an appropriate and timely manner and manage and maintain donor database including updating and managing files.
Utilize BizTalk to automate HIPAA standard transactions.
Manage the integration of CTIOS to the CRM application.
Lead design/development of prototyping of new software for relate revenue streams.

Prepare your development manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your development manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a development manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable development manager resume templates

Build a professional development manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your development manager resume.

Apply for development manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a development manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do development managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Development manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

OD careers allow for a multitude of projects that go beyond training and development.

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019

Pros

Engaging people Change the organization See Organization grow See positive results

Cons

Working long hours

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019