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The differences between directors of software development and senior development managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a director of software development and a senior development manager. Additionally, a director of software development has an average salary of $158,853, which is higher than the $141,487 average annual salary of a senior development manager.
The top three skills for a director of software development include java, software development and cloud. The most important skills for a senior development manager are java, software development, and cloud.
| Director Of Software Development | Senior Development Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $158,853 | $141,487 |
| Hourly rate | $76.37 | $68.02 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 136,310 | 148,732 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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.
A senior development manager oversees the daily operations of a company's product development team. They mostly have administrative duties, such as spearheading projects and programs, streamlining project requirements, establishing objectives and timelines, setting budgets and guidelines, delegating responsibilities among teams, and monitoring their progress, coordinating every team's efforts to ensure an effective workflow. Being a senior development manager takes years of experience, which they utilize to lead and guide teams in a joint effort to reach project goals and deliver profitable products.
Directors of software development and senior development managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Software Development | Senior Development Manager | |
| Average salary | $158,853 | $141,487 |
| Salary range | Between $110,000 And $228,000 | Between $106,000 And $188,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | eBay | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a director of software development and a senior development manager in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Software Development | Senior Development Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between directors of software development' and senior development managers' demographics:
| Director Of Software Development | Senior Development Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 13.6% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |