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The differences between process improvement managers and unit managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a process improvement manager and a unit manager. Additionally, a process improvement manager has an average salary of $105,454, which is higher than the $60,561 average annual salary of a unit manager.
The top three skills for a process improvement manager include sigma, lean six sigma and project management. The most important skills for a unit manager are quality care, patients, and federal regulations.
| Process Improvement Manager | Unit Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $105,454 | $60,561 |
| Hourly rate | $50.70 | $29.12 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 177,168 | 366,932 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Process Improvement Managers oversee the operational processes of the company. These processes are usually related to production, sales, marketing, human resources, or finance. Process Improvement Managers are in charge of creating policies and procedures to guide the company's different departments. They analyze related data and craft recommendations to improve the procedures. They ensure that their recommendations lead to higher efficiency. Process Improvement Managers also ensure that these new processes are implemented properly and yield results.
Unit managers are responsible for managing the nursing unit. They primarily supervise the daily care of patients and ensure quality patient care. Usually, they perform tasks like evaluating staff performance, conducting orientation for new staff, and training new members. Also, they manage schedules, minimize expenditures, and enforce health as well as safety regulations. Unit managers are registered nursing professionals with an undergraduate or graduate degree. They are honest, adaptable, and analytical professionals with strong management and leadership skills and relevant experience in nursing and patient assessment.
Process improvement managers and unit managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Improvement Manager | Unit Manager | |
| Average salary | $105,454 | $60,561 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $137,000 | Between $38,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a process improvement manager and a unit manager in terms of educational background:
| Process Improvement Manager | Unit Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between process improvement managers' and unit managers' demographics:
| Process Improvement Manager | Unit Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |