Planner vs program planner

The differences between planners and program planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a planner and a program planner. Additionally, a program planner has an average salary of $64,782, which is higher than the $63,161 average annual salary of a planner.

The top three skills for a planner include customer service, exceptional client and logistics. The most important skills for a program planner are program planning, program management, and master schedule.

Planner vs program planner overview

	Planner	Program Planner
Yearly salary	$63,161	$64,782
Hourly rate	$30.37	$31.15
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	15,269	70,996
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a planner do?

As the name entails, planners assist in creating a broad vision for a community. They conduct research, design, and advanced programs. Some of them focus on a few roles, such as planning transportation, while some will most likely work at different planning types throughout their profession. They develop a plan through data analysis, determine the project's goals or the community, and form a specific vision. They also identify the strategies to help the city realized its goals and vision.

What does a program planner do?

A program planner is responsible for facilitating and developing program agendas according to business requirements and specifications. Program planners manage program activities by following budget limitations, identifying resources, and finalizing the total count of participants. They also coordinate with professional event planners for recovery solutions should any issues arise. A program planner must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in updating the program manager of updates and plan adjustments as needed to achieve program goals and objectives.

Planner vs program planner salary

Planners and program planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Planner	Program Planner
Average salary	$63,161	$64,782
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $88,000	Between $49,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	SMTC
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between planner and program planner education

There are a few differences between a planner and a program planner in terms of educational background:

	Planner	Program Planner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Planner vs program planner demographics

Here are the differences between planners' and program planners' demographics:

	Planner	Program Planner
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 54.4% Female, 45.6%	Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between planner and program planner duties and responsibilities

Planner example responsibilities.

Develop and managing the database for CDBG applicants.
Key role in managing and planning projects from sketch to approve plans.
Manage creation of replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimize to minimize logistical costs.
Assist with forecasting machines, accessories, and coffee with various departments in order to achieve monthly KPI's.
Develop and manage all types of inventory from finish goods, WIP (work in process) to raw material.
Manage RFQ process - gather quotations, examine bids with engineering and management, negotiate prices with suppliers and make awards.

Program planner example responsibilities.

Create and manage integrated master project plans with detail WBS structures.
Manage part parameters in order to run MRP effectively to maintain a continuous supply chain at the targeted inventory levels.
Display excellent leadership skills in directing the performance of the IPT leads and integrate program level performance for program monthly reviews.
Conduct intensive interfacing with engineering and IPT leads to analyze complex schedules and develop viable action plans for scheduling risk mitigation.
Develop and manage the SharePoint database.
Resolve issues regarding logistics, repair cycles, materials returns and cross-contamination; manage all supply-chain relate escalated issues.

Planner vs program planner skills

Common planner skills

Customer Service, 13%
Exceptional Client, 8%
Logistics, 8%
Project Management, 6%
Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Strong Analytical, 4%

Common program planner skills

Program Planning, 12%
Program Management, 10%
Master Schedule, 9%
Microsoft Project, 9%
Earned Value Management, 8%
Management System, 6%

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Planner vs Program Planner

Updated January 8, 2025

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