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The differences between directors, special projects and program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director, special projects has an average salary of $129,916, which is higher than the $96,084 average annual salary of a program manager.
The top three skills for a director, special projects include project management, website content and financial statements. The most important skills for a program manager are project management, program management, and oversight.
| Director, Special Projects | Program Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $129,916 | $96,084 |
| Hourly rate | $62.46 | $46.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 45,103 | 197,556 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| 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 program manager is responsible for monitoring the project's progress, improving and developing new strategies, and coordinate various projects across the organization to ensure the success of the business objective. Program managers also manage the program's expenses, ensuring that the projects adhere to the budget goals without compromising the quality and accuracy of the result. A program manager should regularly connect with the different teams of every project under the program to keep track of the processes and procedures for the timely delivery of the product.
Directors, special projects and program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director, Special Projects | Program Manager | |
| Average salary | $129,916 | $96,084 |
| Salary range | Between $91,000 And $185,000 | Between $65,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director, special projects and a program manager in terms of educational background:
| Director, Special Projects | Program Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between directors, special projects' and program managers' demographics:
| Director, Special Projects | Program Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |