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Management associate vs program manager

The differences between management associates and program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program manager has an average salary of $96,084, which is higher than the $83,566 average annual salary of a management associate.

The top three skills for a management associate include customer service, portfolio and risk management. The most important skills for a program manager are project management, program management, and oversight.

Management associate vs program manager overview

Management AssociateProgram Manager
Yearly salary$83,566$96,084
Hourly rate$40.18$46.19
Growth rate17%12%
Number of jobs84,397197,556
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

What does a management associate do?

A management associate is responsible for assisting the management operations, supporting administrative and clerical tasks, and coordinating with other departments for project support to meet the organization's objectives and profitability goals. Management associates often respond to clients' inquiries and concerns on behalf of the executives, documenting their needs, and immediately escalating high-level complaints to appropriate personnel. They also meet with suppliers and other third-party vendors, negotiating contracts for business needs. A management associate must have excellent communication, be organized, and have time-management skills to perform duties in a fast-paced environment.

What does a program manager do?

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.

Management associate vs program manager salary

Management associates and program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Management AssociateProgram Manager
Average salary$83,566$96,084
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $136,000Between $65,000 And $141,000
Highest paying CityWestport, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelMeta
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between management associate and program manager education

There are a few differences between a management associate and a program manager in terms of educational background:

Management AssociateProgram Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Management associate vs program manager demographics

Here are the differences between management associates' and program managers' demographics:

Management AssociateProgram Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.9% Female, 52.1%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between management associate and program manager duties and responsibilities

Management associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage A/R, A/P, capital assets, and security deposits.
  • Manage the rehabilitation of homes and lead abatement of existing homes.
  • Value add services through managing partnerships with functional business teams to support client ROI.
  • Manage and execute the entire SDLC search for a single core products processing vendor.
  • Manage CAPA, document control, internal audit, complaint handling and training programs.
  • Lead team of PMs to deliver fast-pace web site dev projects to drive revenue and market share.
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Program manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead managed services provider engagement of onshore and offshore interactive development and QA for pharmaceutical marketing department.
  • Lead multiple team workshops and initiate RFP proposals.
  • Manage the work process across projects as per PMI standards.
  • Develop, manage, and oversee EMBA study abroad in-residencies to Asia.
  • Manage content updates for all salesforce marketing materials, print and digital.
  • Manage the service level expectations with client agencies by monitoring and assessment establish KPIs, agreements and contracts.
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Management associate vs program manager skills

Common management associate skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Portfolio, 7%
  • Risk Management, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Strong Analytical, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common program manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Program Management, 11%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Excellent Organizational, 3%

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