Implementation manager vs project manager

The differences between implementation managers and project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a project manager has an average salary of $91,578, which is higher than the $90,790 average annual salary of an implementation manager.

The top three skills for an implementation manager include project management, account management and client relationships. The most important skills for a project manager are project management, project scope, and customer service.

Implementation manager vs project manager overview

	Implementation Manager	Project Manager
Yearly salary	$90,790	$91,578
Hourly rate	$43.65	$44.03
Growth rate	16%	8%
Number of jobs	136,883	167,116
Job satisfaction	-	4.17
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	8	-

What does an implementation manager do?

An implementation manager specializes in introducing new systems, networks, and processes to the entire company workforce. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the implementation team to ensure that everything is running smoothly, devising action and work plans, coordinating with different departments, monitoring requisitions and information materials, and verifying their accuracy. An implementation manager may also address issues and concerns, providing technical support when necessary. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage the team, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

What does a project manager do?

Project managers oversee a specific project related to the organization's business. They manage the whole project from inception to evaluation. They initiate planning with involved departments, follow-through on the plans, ensure smooth execution of the plans, and evaluate the project for further improvements should these be needed. In line with this, project managers also ensure that the project is cost-efficient and well within the budget. They also manage the different work teams involved in the project and ensure that things are running smoothly on this aspect as well.

Implementation manager vs project manager salary

Implementation managers and project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Implementation Manager	Project Manager
Average salary	$90,790	$91,578
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $126,000	Between $64,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Levi Strauss & Co.	The Citadel
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between implementation manager and project manager education

There are a few differences between an implementation manager and a project manager in terms of educational background:

	Implementation Manager	Project Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	University of Pennsylvania

Implementation manager vs project manager demographics

Here are the differences between implementation managers' and project managers' demographics:

	Implementation Manager	Project Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0%	Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	10%

Differences between implementation manager and project manager duties and responsibilities

Implementation manager example responsibilities.

Lead the strategic project planning efforts and the technology architecture design initiatives.
Document each client's processes for artifacts and manage through project closure via SharePoint.
Create and manage detailed project plans for all phases of SDLC to ensure successful deployments.
Lead a group of 10 Java engineers and 12 web developers in creating web-base online banking applications.
Manage one internal ERP specialist, who maintains and modifies the ERP system and provides specialist technical support.
Manage state-by-state projects from planning/scheduling, architecture, development, Nessus scan vulnerabilities, QA, UAT, to deployment.

Project manager example responsibilities.

Schedule and manage the GCP audit process.
Define, develop and manage metrics and KPIs systems for new product business group.
Manage the application process for the FDA medical device, minority and small business certifications.
Manage multiple projects and resources simultaneously while mentoring, coaching and implementing best practices, SOX and HIPAA compliance standards.
Lead teams using the Informatica ETL tool for the design and development of multiple financial and risk enterprise data warehouses.
Administer and manage Salesforce requirements.

Implementation manager vs project manager skills

Common implementation manager skills

Project Management, 15%
Account Management, 7%
Client Relationships, 6%
Client Expectations, 6%
Client Facing, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common project manager skills

Project Management, 23%
Project Scope, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Infrastructure, 5%
Status Reports, 4%
Risk Management, 3%

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Implementation Manager
Implementation Manager vs Project Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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