Post job

Leader vs mentor

The differences between leaders and mentors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a leader has an average salary of $86,964, which is higher than the $35,581 average annual salary of a mentor.

The top three skills for a leader include customer service, strong time management and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a mentor are role model, mathematics, and mental health.

Leader vs mentor overview

LeaderMentor
Yearly salary$86,964$35,581
Hourly rate$41.81$17.11
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs172,2933,625
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4642
Years of experience2-

What does a leader do?

Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

What does a mentor do?

Mentors are individuals who are usually experienced or considered experts in their field. They provide guidance and inspiration to the people they mentor, often called mentees. Mentors give advice whenever their mentees need them, usually on topics related to their career or studies. They may help their mentees with career concerns by helping them map out a career plan, coaching them to prepare them for interviews, and providing insights on the industry or field they are in. Mentors also help train their mentees in their jobs by providing feedback and guiding them so that they may improve.

Leader vs mentor salary

Leaders and mentors have different pay scales, as shown below.

LeaderMentor
Average salary$86,964$35,581
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $153,000Between $20,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityPortland, MEReston, VA
Highest paying stateMaineVirginia
Best paying companyEli Lilly and CompanyEli Lilly and Company
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between leader and mentor education

There are a few differences between a leader and a mentor in terms of educational background:

LeaderMentor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Leader vs mentor demographics

Here are the differences between leaders' and mentors' demographics:

LeaderMentor
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 49.8% Female, 50.2%Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 9.6% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between leader and mentor duties and responsibilities

Leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage UNIX and mainframe systems software staff.
  • Achieve business metrics and implement WCM tools and processes.
  • Lead instrument calibration, OOS investigation, change control, deviation documentation to comply with GMP.
  • Lead a group to help a dog food producer to gain traction in the grocery store channel
  • Perform diagnostics, lead audits, kaizen events, value stream mapping, PDCA teams and employee involvement.
  • Lead in PTA efforts to recognize school staff by planning events and organize and plan monthly appreciation gifts.
  • Show more

Mentor example responsibilities.

  • Ensure community youth receive timely access to CBHI services by managing waitlist per MCE requirements.
  • Provide academic support services for elementary students requesting assistance in math
  • Help develop IEP goals and objectives.
  • Assist new students with Javascript concepts and frameworks.
  • Tutor student athletes in economics courses of various levels.
  • Calculate GPA's to help students matriculate in program curriculum.
  • Show more

Leader vs mentor skills

Common leader skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Strong Time Management, 9%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • PET, 6%
  • Digital Transformation, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
Common mentor skills
  • Role Model, 11%
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Community Resources, 6%

Browse production and manufacturing jobs