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The differences between development managers and directors of software development can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a development manager, becoming a director of software development takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a director of software development has an average salary of $158,853, which is higher than the $110,678 average annual salary of a development manager.
The top three skills for a development manager include project management, customer service and patients. The most important skills for a director of software development are java, software development, and cloud.
| Development Manager | Director Of Software Development | |
| Yearly salary | $110,678 | $158,853 |
| Hourly rate | $53.21 | $76.37 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 111,137 | 136,310 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 8 |
A development manager is responsible for assisting existing clients or potential clients of the services they need. A development manager serves as the initial point of contact for the clients to answer their inquiries and concerns before proceeding with a contract. Development managers usually arrange meetings with clients, analyze business opportunities, improve marketing initiatives to attract clients, research the industry's latest trends, create proposals, and assist in training new staff members. A development manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle staff performance and build professional relationships with clients.
A director of software development is primarily in charge of overseeing the workflow and the workforce involved in the entire software development process. Their responsibilities also include creating strategies for optimal performance, coordinating with different teams and departments to identify strengths and weaknesses, implementing training and workshop programs, and liaising with external agencies, including key clients. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach new heights.
Development managers and directors of software development have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Development Manager | Director Of Software Development | |
| Average salary | $110,678 | $158,853 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $159,000 | Between $110,000 And $228,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a development manager and a director of software development in terms of educational background:
| Development Manager | Director Of Software Development | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between development managers' and directors of software development' demographics:
| Development Manager | Director Of Software Development | |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.5% Female, 39.5% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 15.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 11% |