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Director/manager vs associate director

The differences between director/managers and associate directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director/manager has an average salary of $128,735, which is higher than the $114,223 average annual salary of an associate director.

The top three skills for a director/manager include healthcare, patients and home health. The most important skills for an associate director are patients, healthcare, and project management.

Director/manager vs associate director overview

Director/ManagerAssociate Director
Yearly salary$128,735$114,223
Hourly rate$61.89$54.91
Growth rate6%8%
Number of jobs287,31472,370
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4447
Years of experience6-

What does a director/manager do?

A director/manager is responsible for developing strategic techniques to boost the operational efficiency of an organization in delivering high-quality services and satisfaction for the customers and business clients. Directors/managers identify business opportunities that would support the company's long-term goals and objectives, generating more revenues and closing contract deals for the business. They also handle the departmental budgets, allocating adequate resources for operations and project management. A director/manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in overseeing staff performance and handling their concerns.

What does an associate director do?

An associate director oversees the daily activities and business operations within a particular area. They are primarily responsible for devising strategies that aim for growth in profit and customer satisfaction, implementing policies and standards, evaluate the workforce, providing support to various departments, and setting goals in terms of budget and sales. Furthermore, they must regularly report progress to the director and coordinate with managers and supervisors in the joint effort to reach the vision and mission of the company.

Director/manager vs associate director salary

Director/managers and associate directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director/ManagerAssociate Director
Average salary$128,735$114,223
Salary rangeBetween $88,000 And $187,000Between $79,000 And $164,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTSouth San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyMicrosoftLegalmatch.com
Best paying industryTechnologyPharmaceutical

Differences between director/manager and associate director education

There are a few differences between a director/manager and an associate director in terms of educational background:

Director/ManagerAssociate Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Director/manager vs associate director demographics

Here are the differences between director/managers' and associate directors' demographics:

Director/ManagerAssociate Director
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 55.3% Female, 44.7%Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between director/manager and associate director duties and responsibilities

Director/manager example responsibilities.

  • Create a coordinate university social media committee quadrupling engagement during campaigns and achieving a national twitter trend during commencement.
  • Develop and implement an efficient payroll system.
  • Calculate receptionist bonuses and provide to payroll department.
  • Implement complex upgrades and additional functionality to software applications supporting medical case management and Medicaid insurance claims submissions.
  • Lead legislative initiatives to improve medical care for currently and formerly incarcerate individuals and to expand Medicaid access for vulnerable populations.
  • Create and implement curriculum and activities to promote early childhood development, ensure that facilities provide a safe and nurturing environment.
    • Show more

Associate director example responsibilities.

  • Lead implementation of OPPE and FPPE for TJC.
  • Manage accounting, weekly reports, local contacts, and maintenance of sets, props, and costumes.
  • Manage all aspects of music ministry - including arranging all music for schedule services special programs and events.
  • Manage departmental training schedules, work schedules and CPSI electronic medical record (EMR), certifications and competencies.
  • Manage web development and rebranding initiative.
  • Create a coordinate university social media committee quadrupling engagement during campaigns and achieving a national twitter trend during commencement.
    • Show more

Director/manager vs associate director skills

Common director/manager skills
  • Healthcare, 12%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
Common associate director skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Healthcare, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Portfolio, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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