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The differences between principal 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 principal product manager and a product lead. Additionally, a principal product manager has an average salary of $145,943, which is higher than the $118,828 average annual salary of a product lead.
The top three skills for a principal product manager include product management, QA and product development. The most important skills for a product lead are product management, project management, and architecture.
| Principal Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $145,943 | $118,828 |
| Hourly rate | $70.16 | $57.13 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 143,985 | 95,557 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 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.
Principal product managers and product leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Average salary | $145,943 | $118,828 |
| Salary range | Between $106,000 And $199,000 | Between $86,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Brex | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a principal product manager and a product lead in terms of educational background:
| Principal Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between principal product managers' and product leads' demographics:
| Principal Product Manager | Product Lead | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | 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% |