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Digital program manager vs social media manager

The differences between digital program managers and social media managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a digital program manager and a social media manager. Additionally, a digital program manager has an average salary of $100,853, which is higher than the $70,287 average annual salary of a social media manager.

The top three skills for a digital program manager include digital transformation, digital marketing and project management. The most important skills for a social media manager are instagram, twitter, and digital marketing.

Digital program manager vs social media manager overview

Digital Program ManagerSocial Media Manager
Yearly salary$100,853$70,287
Hourly rate$48.49$33.79
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs144,134105,475
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age3939
Years of experience1010

What does a digital program manager do?

Digital program managers are executive professionals who are responsible for managing the digital products of an organization across a variety of different functions and disciplines. These managers are required to partner with product owners so that they can understand the owner's objectives and develop digital project portfolios that help them meet those objectives. They must facilitate the planning and management of digital products to ensure that they are delivered on-time and within budget. Digital program managers must also prepare project status reports for executive management to review.

What does a social media manager do?

Social media managers are responsible for representing the company's business through social media channels. They help the company grow by enhancing its presence via social networks. Primarily, they need to implement marketing plans and identify their target clients and create a content schedule. Their duties include implementing and strategizing digital marketing campaigns. They support the development of brand identity and promotional strategies. Candidates for the job must be excellent in communication skills, have in-depth knowledge of how social platforms work, and easily understand the target audience.

Digital program manager vs social media manager salary

Digital program managers and social media managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital Program ManagerSocial Media Manager
Average salary$100,853$70,287
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $142,000Between $50,000 And $98,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMetaMicrosoft
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between digital program manager and social media manager education

There are a few differences between a digital program manager and a social media manager in terms of educational background:

Digital Program ManagerSocial Media Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Digital program manager vs social media manager demographics

Here are the differences between digital program managers' and social media managers' demographics:

Digital Program ManagerSocial Media Manager
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 62.2% Female, 37.8%Male, 38.9% Female, 61.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between digital program manager and social media manager duties and responsibilities

Digital program manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage schedule milestone dates in company database; supervise full-service vendor in updating Smartsheet schedule.
  • Interface with key internal and client stakeholders to define and lead digital and CRM initiatives.
  • Own entire worldwide marketing budget, prioritize spends and ensure best ROI (units & mix).
  • Provide level of effort estimations and resource requirements in partnership with BA, UX, development and QA project resources.
  • Generate complete SEO/analytic reports identifying specific aggregates, require metrics and investigate reporting discrepancies with JIRA as required.
  • Task with the ongoing improvement and optimization of these e-commerce capabilities.

Social media manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage Google Ticketmaster SEM accounts.
  • Used social media systems to schedule, manage, and curate content across various social media platforms.
  • Manage the development of multiple e-commerce websites, including gathering requirements for basic layout, design and content of websites.
  • Organize events for the public and manage the organization's branding through logo use, print materials and social media marketing.
  • Develop and lead Facebook strategy.
  • Manage the company Facebook page; promote inventory through Pinterest
  • Show more

Digital program manager vs social media manager skills

Common digital program manager skills
  • Digital Transformation, 19%
  • Digital Marketing, 15%
  • Project Management, 13%
  • Program Management, 9%
  • Digital Content, 3%
  • KPIs, 3%
Common social media manager skills
  • Instagram, 9%
  • Twitter, 7%
  • Digital Marketing, 6%
  • Social Media Marketing, 6%
  • Facebook Insights, 5%
  • Media Management, 5%

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