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The differences between principal product managers and marketing manager/project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both a principal product manager and a marketing manager/project manager. Additionally, a principal product manager has an average salary of $145,943, which is higher than the $78,368 average annual salary of a marketing manager/project manager.
The top three skills for a principal product manager include product management, QA and product development. The most important skills for a marketing manager/project manager are project management, digital marketing, and marketing campaigns.
| Principal Product Manager | Marketing Manager/Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $145,943 | $78,368 |
| Hourly rate | $70.16 | $37.68 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 143,985 | 187,949 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
The duties of a principal product manager depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing the organization's product roadmap, devising strategies for optimal operations and services, and managing production and marketing communications. They must also coordinate with different research scientists and engineers to develop systems and networks that will increase profitability and assist in meeting consumers' needs. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage teams, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A marketing manager/project manager oversees a company's marketing programs and projects, aiming to attract more customers and increase the brand value of a business, product, or service. They primarily perform market research and assessments to identify marketing trends and opportunities, gather and analyze data to generate business leads, study the consumer and competitors in the industry, and identify the weaknesses and strengths of existing marketing projects, utilizing information to enhance operations. Additionally, a marketing manager/project manager leads operations and empowers staff while implementing company policies and industry standards.
Principal product managers and marketing manager/project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Product Manager | Marketing Manager/Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $145,943 | $78,368 |
| Salary range | Between $106,000 And $199,000 | Between $56,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Carson City, NV |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Brex | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal product manager and a marketing manager/project manager in terms of educational background:
| Principal Product Manager | Marketing Manager/Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between principal product managers' and marketing manager/project managers' demographics:
| Principal Product Manager | Marketing Manager/Project Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9% |
| 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% |