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The differences between information technology technical leads and information technology project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an information technology technical lead and an information technology project manager. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, which is higher than the $106,981 average annual salary of an information technology project manager.
The top three skills for an information technology technical lead include project management, architecture and governance. The most important skills for an information technology project manager are project management, infrastructure, and scrum.
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $110,879 | $106,981 |
| Hourly rate | $53.31 | $51.43 |
| Growth rate | 16% | - |
| Number of jobs | 156,246 | 207,249 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
An information technology project manager is responsible for supervising the technology department, ensuring that all tasks are being done by following technological strategies and solutions. Information technology project managers' duties include monitoring the technology team's daily operation, handling team members' concerns, managing customers' inquiries and complaints, helping team members' in achieving their professional growth, creating reports, sharing updates during team and board meetings, and maintaining effectivity of operational procedures. An information technology project manager must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to decide on the best strategies in meeting the company's objectives.
Information technology technical leads and information technology project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $110,879 | $106,981 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $146,000 | Between $76,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Reed Smith |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information technology technical lead and an information technology project manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology technical leads' and information technology project managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |