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The differences between new product managers and product leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a new product manager and a product lead. Additionally, a product lead has an average salary of $118,828, which is higher than the $117,459 average annual salary of a new product manager.
The top three skills for a new product manager include market research, product management and project management. The most important skills for a product lead are product management, project management, and architecture.
| New Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $117,459 | $118,828 |
| Hourly rate | $56.47 | $57.13 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 112,426 | 95,557 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
A new product manager's role is to determine the needs and desires of a customer. They do complex tasks in line with the production and introduction of new products with the help of the sales director. They forecast the current and future product lines by reviewing product specifications and requirements, appraising new product ideas and/or product or packaging changes. The role also includes an assessment of product market data by reaching out to customers with the help of field salespeople and evaluating sales call results.
A product lead is responsible for monitoring the development of new products and services of an organization, starting from brand conceptualization to official market release and distribution. Product leads identify effective product management by conducting data analysis and evaluating market statistics of customer demands. They coordinate with the clients on their specifications and requirements, including the budget limit and timely deliverables. A product lead manages the brand promotion on media platforms, creating content that adheres to the target audience.
New product managers and product leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| New Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Average salary | $117,459 | $118,828 |
| Salary range | Between $79,000 And $174,000 | Between $86,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a new product manager and a product lead in terms of educational background:
| New Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between new product managers' and product leads' demographics:
| New Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.2% Female, 29.8% | Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |