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The differences between directors of software development and systems 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 systems manager. Additionally, a director of software development has an average salary of $158,853, which is higher than the $107,156 average annual salary of a systems manager.
The top three skills for a director of software development include java, software development and cloud. The most important skills for a systems manager are customer service, project management, and patients.
| Director Of Software Development | Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $158,853 | $107,156 |
| Hourly rate | $76.37 | $51.52 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 136,310 | 145,551 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 systems manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the information technology department, evaluating staff performance, developing strategic procedures to maximize productivity, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenues and profitability for the company. Systems managers inspect company networks to ensure the efficiency of the technology systems, conducting regular diagnostic tests, and installing upgrades to boost optimization. A systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command in programming languages and system codes to maintain the security of the company's database.
Directors of software development and systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Software Development | Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $158,853 | $107,156 |
| Salary range | Between $110,000 And $228,000 | Between $75,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | eBay | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director of software development and a systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Software Development | Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 systems managers' demographics:
| Director Of Software Development | Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| 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, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |