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The differences between directors of software development and technical managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a director of software development, becoming a technical manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a director of software development has an average salary of $158,853, which is higher than the $116,619 average annual salary of a technical manager.
The top three skills for a director of software development include java, software development and cloud. The most important skills for a technical manager are project management, infrastructure, and architecture.
| Director Of Software Development | Technical Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $158,853 | $116,619 |
| Hourly rate | $76.37 | $56.07 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 136,310 | 116,732 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 47 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 2 |
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 technical manager is responsible for maintaining the company's information systems database and analyzing technology system matters to ensure its efficiency and accuracy in supporting business operations. Technical managers perform network checks regularly to assess any possible malfunctions that might compromise the company's cybersecurity. They carefully analyze business and clients' specifications on working with systems integration, responding to end-users' concerns and inquiries. A technical manager must have excellent knowledge of the information technology systems industry, as well as a strong command on network codes to conduct adjustments and manage network infrastructure.
Directors of software development and technical managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Software Development | Technical Manager | |
| Average salary | $158,853 | $116,619 |
| Salary range | Between $110,000 And $228,000 | Between $84,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | eBay | A.T. Kearney |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a director of software development and a technical manager in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Software Development | Technical Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 technical managers' demographics:
| Director Of Software Development | Technical Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 14% |