Manager, configuration management vs project management specialist

The differences between managers, configuration management and project management specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a manager, configuration management, becoming a project management specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a manager, configuration management has an average salary of $110,954, which is higher than the $81,204 average annual salary of a project management specialist.

The top three skills for a manager, configuration management include process improvement, database and project management. The most important skills for a project management specialist are PMP, powerpoint, and status reports.

Manager, configuration management vs project management specialist overview

	Manager, Configuration Management	Project Management Specialist
Yearly salary	$110,954	$81,204
Hourly rate	$53.34	$39.04
Growth rate	9%	11%
Number of jobs	81,049	145,872
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	4

What does a manager, configuration management do?

A configuration manager provides support to teams under his/her supervision in improving and testing project items. They must prepare the configuration documents and maintain the CM (Configuration Management) database to easily retrieve data when needed. In addition to that, configuration managers also request and recommend improvements to existing CM processes to make sure that the information stored in the CM database is safe, accurate, and updated. Configuration managers also watch software application deliveries in tests and deployment environments to assess if there will be system errors in the future and devise solutions for them immediately.

What does a project management specialist do?

A project management specialist is an individual who manages an entire project and serves as a point of contact for a client or customer. Project management specialists must provide detailed cost analysis and timetable reports to keep projects on schedule and budget. They must ask for frequent updates from all staff assigned so that they can identify potential problems that may keep projects from being completed on time. Project management specialists must also prepare progress reports of projects and create presentations for senior management.

Manager, configuration management vs project management specialist salary

Managers, configuration management and project management specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manager, Configuration Management	Project Management Specialist
Average salary	$110,954	$81,204
Salary range	Between $81,000 And $151,000	Between $58,000 And $112,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Bridgewater, NJ
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Meta	Enbridge
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between manager, configuration management and project management specialist education

There are a few differences between a manager, configuration management and a project management specialist in terms of educational background:

	Manager, Configuration Management	Project Management Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Manager, configuration management vs project management specialist demographics

Here are the differences between managers, configuration management' and project management specialists' demographics:

	Manager, Configuration Management	Project Management Specialist
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1%	Male, 52.4% Female, 47.6%
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, 8.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	11%	12%

Differences between manager, configuration management and project management specialist duties and responsibilities

Manager, configuration management example responsibilities.

Manage and coordinate DoD PMO communication on release status, project implementation activities, and change tracking.
Generate weekly written reports, perform QA on open cases, develop policies and procedures using ACHA manage care guidelines.
Accomplish verification processes to accurately assign part numbers for BOM entries, reviews and approvals for propose design modifications.
Develop system to handle software configuration management infrastructure, change management and release status reporting.
Conduct database saves and restores accurately as well as developed and implement database security infrastructure and user access accounts.
Lead successful ISO and URAQ accreditation efforts.

Project management specialist example responsibilities.

Plan and manage all development and production activities for the company s new cardiac rhythmic management (CRM) extrusion line.
Manage user authorization in SharePoint.
Manage change management activation and stabilization activities for ERP project within all sites.
Manage a team responsible for designing service-orient application architecture, standards and best practices guidelines, security and data access frameworks.
Update, create stories, and modify VDS tasks in JIRA.
Facilitate project meetings, including setting the agenda, meeting logistics and documentation of meetings.

Manager, configuration management vs project management specialist skills

Common manager, configuration management skills

Process Improvement, 8%
Database, 6%
Project Management, 6%
DOD, 6%
Social Work, 5%
Management System, 4%

Common project management specialist skills

PMP, 9%
PowerPoint, 7%
Status Reports, 7%
Program Management, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Project Management Tools, 5%

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Manager, Configuration Management
Manager, Configuration Management vs Project Management Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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