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The differences between directors, special projects and chief operating officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chief operating officer has an average salary of $136,604, which is higher than the $129,916 average annual salary of a director, special projects.
The top three skills for a director, special projects include project management, website content and financial statements. The most important skills for a chief operating officer are healthcare, customer service, and oversight.
| Director, Special Projects | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $129,916 | $136,604 |
| Hourly rate | $62.46 | $65.67 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 45,103 | 128,993 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 47 | 52 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The primary responsibility of a director of special projects is to ensure the successful conclusion of construction-related projects. Special project directors lead, organize, and perform corporate projects outside their duties. They utilize project management, business process management, and change management disciplines for timely and cost-effective initiatives delivery. It is part of their responsibilities to collaborate with business leaders and entrepreneurs to perform corporate programs and initiatives. They also manage process enhancements and various special programs.
A chief operating officer, also known as a COO, is a high-ranking official who oversees a company or organization's daily administrative and overall operations. They are typically the second in the chain of command, reporting directly to the company's chief executive officer, also known as a CEO. Among their duties include developing strategies and guidelines, reviewing reports, performing assessments, and implementing the company's policies, standards, and regulations. Additionally, they lead and empower staff to reach goals, helping solve issues and concerns when any arise.
Directors, special projects and chief operating officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director, Special Projects | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Average salary | $129,916 | $136,604 |
| Salary range | Between $91,000 And $185,000 | Between $81,000 And $229,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Baker McKenzie |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a director, special projects and a chief operating officer in terms of educational background:
| Director, Special Projects | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between directors, special projects' and chief operating officers' demographics:
| Director, Special Projects | Chief Operating Officer | |
| Average age | 47 | 52 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |