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The differences between directors of project management and contract project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of project management has an average salary of $126,958, which is higher than the $81,263 average annual salary of a contract project manager.
The top three skills for a director of project management include oversight, risk management and resource management. The most important skills for a contract project manager are project management, project scope, and contract project.
| Director Of Project Management | Contract Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $126,958 | $81,263 |
| Hourly rate | $61.04 | $39.07 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 200,498 | 159,765 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 8 |
Project management directors are the ones who develop and direct the strategic planning of different projects. The directors oversee the coordination of resources and personnel necessary for project completion. Typically, the directors require certification for project management. They develop a methodology for standardized project management in a balanced matrix organization. The directors should be equipped with skills in process improvement, customer service, infrastructure, portfolio management, and strategic initiatives. They should also have skills in communication, attention to detail, and leadership.
A contract project manager is an executive professional who provides project management and business analysis to fill the needs of an organization. Contract project managers are required to monitor and inspect contract projects to maintain a high level of safety and quality traffic control in highly variable conditions. They assist contract project administration with the review of project progress reports. Contract project managers must also manage the relationship between clients and the organization while monitoring the progress of the project to ensure that it complies with the terms of the corporate contract.
Directors of project management and contract project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Project Management | Contract Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $126,958 | $81,263 |
| Salary range | Between $85,000 And $187,000 | Between $53,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | PRO Unlimited |
| Best paying industry | Real Estate | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a director of project management and a contract project manager in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Project Management | Contract Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between directors of project management' and contract project managers' demographics:
| Director Of Project Management | Contract Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1% | Male, 66.1% Female, 33.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 4% |