Managing director vs area director

The differences between managing directors and area 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 managing director and an area director. Additionally, a managing director has an average salary of $129,690, which is higher than the $100,433 average annual salary of an area director.

The top three skills for a managing director include healthcare, portfolio and business development. The most important skills for an area director are customer service, patients, and home health.

Managing director vs area director overview

	Managing Director	Area Director
Yearly salary	$129,690	$100,433
Hourly rate	$62.35	$48.29
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	81,022	47,326
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a managing director do?

A Managing Director oversees workflow and progress, making sure that all operations align within the company or organization's mission or set of goals. They are responsible for crafting strategies, devising effective business plans, and executing guidelines that would nurture a company's growth, and as well as to be the driving force that would direct employees to the company's objectives. Furthermore, a Managing Director must coordinate with those in a higher position, such as the members of the board.

What does an area director do?

Area directors oversee the operations of the company in a particular area. They manage the company's presence in their assigned area. Area directors come up with strategies so that their area meets company goals. They manage the company's performance in their area, from sales to marketing to finance to human resources. Area directors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of the situation and the context in the area they handle. They should be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in their area. As such, they would be able to capitalize on their strengths and address their areas for improvement. Overall, area directors are responsible for the fulfillment of the company's vision in their area.

Managing director vs area director salary

Managing directors and area directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Managing Director	Area Director
Average salary	$129,690	$100,433
Salary range	Between $72,000 And $233,000	Between $55,000 And $182,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between managing director and area director education

There are a few differences between a managing director and an area director in terms of educational background:

	Managing Director	Area Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Managing director vs area director demographics

Here are the differences between managing directors' and area directors' demographics:

	Managing Director	Area Director
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5%	Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between managing director and area director duties and responsibilities

Managing director example responsibilities.

Create and manage the social media presence via a festival page on Facebook.
Manage all consulting resources and have overall P/L responsibilities for the Atlanta office.
Manage the lessee and lessor relationships regarding exchange seat leases with major markets, such as NYSE, AMEX, CBOE.
Manage denials and expedite managed care appeals (reimbursement reconsideration).
Manage payroll processing for thousands of industrial temporary workers and bill respective clients.
Manage the Ketera SaaS relationship for IBM with engagement development and profitability responsibilities.

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Area director example responsibilities.

Manage all aspects of selling process such as ROI, quotes, budgetary approval and demos.
Manage due diligence requirements and rehabilitation plans.
Lead operations for contract rehabilitation practice across north and central Texas.
Establish and manage the mid-Atlantic regional office of a privately own legal education company that provide educational services to law students.
Provide administrative (programmatic and fiscal) oversight for residential homes for people with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities.
Offer risk management and insurance services to the healthcare industry.

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Managing director vs area director skills

Common managing director skills

Healthcare, 7%
Portfolio, 7%
Business Development, 6%
Oversight, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common area director skills

Customer Service, 8%
Patients, 8%
Home Health, 8%
Oversight, 7%
Human Resources, 5%
Financial Performance, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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