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The differences between managers, research projects and research directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a manager, research projects and a research director. Additionally, a research director has an average salary of $108,875, which is higher than the $70,818 average annual salary of a manager, research projects.
The top three skills for a manager, research projects include project management, data collection and patients. The most important skills for a research director are research projects, data collection, and healthcare.
| Manager, Research Projects | Research Director | |
| Yearly salary | $70,818 | $108,875 |
| Hourly rate | $34.05 | $52.34 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 50,604 | 51,298 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Managers of research projects are in charge of overseeing the daily operations of research projects, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities typically include managing research teams, setting goals and guidelines, handling the budgets and schedules, and monitoring the progress of all efforts, resolving issues should there be any. There are also instances when they must prepare and present reports to the executives. Moreover, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Research Directors oversee the research initiatives of the company. They are usually deployed in the academe, research facilities, or companies with research and development departments. They set research goals aligned with the company's vision. They also ensure that all research activities are significant and would have an impact. They usually aim to complete research work that would contribute to the advancement of their field. Research Directors provide strategic direction on how to complete their research goals. They guide their team of researchers to work more efficiently and more productively. They also lead the team in networking activities.
Managers, research projects and research directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manager, Research Projects | Research Director | |
| Average salary | $70,818 | $108,875 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $94,000 | Between $68,000 And $171,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manager, research projects and a research director in terms of educational background:
| Manager, Research Projects | Research Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between managers, research projects' and research directors' demographics:
| Manager, Research Projects | Research Director | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.7% Female, 54.3% | Male, 59.0% Female, 41.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 12.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |