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The differences between directors of economic development and community development directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a director of economic development and a community development director. Additionally, a community development director has an average salary of $109,396, which is higher than the $107,578 average annual salary of a director of economic development.
The top three skills for a director of economic development include business development, project management and real estate. The most important skills for a community development director are economic development, oversight, and project management.
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Development Director | |
| Yearly salary | $107,578 | $109,396 |
| Hourly rate | $51.72 | $52.59 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 55,938 | 66,252 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An economic development director develops and spearheads the implementation of economic development programs in a city. They usually work for the city government, although there are some who work for private companies. It is their responsibility to perform market research and analysis, developing strategies to help the city in building positive relationships with businesses and potential economic partners. Moreover, as an economic development director, they are also responsible for managing and directing staff, encouraging them to reach project goals while implementing policies and standards.
The job of a community development director is to manage and direct the management and planning initiatives for a community or city organization. Your duties will include collaborating with community partners in developing strategies to improve the community, architectural and economic initiatives, monitoring budgets for department initiatives, and participating in business development efforts. As a community development director, it is your responsibility to develop and maintain the community development department's short- and long-term developmental goals. It is also your duty to develop and coordinate marketing strategies for economic development.
Directors of economic development and community development directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Development Director | |
| Average salary | $107,578 | $109,396 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $180,000 | Between $70,000 And $169,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Bazaarvoice |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a director of economic development and a community development director in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Development Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of economic development' and community development directors' demographics:
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Development Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |