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The differences between product leads and product engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a product lead, becoming a product engineering manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a product engineering manager has an average salary of $125,592, which is higher than the $118,828 average annual salary of a product lead.
The top three skills for a product lead include product management, project management and architecture. The most important skills for a product engineering manager are project management, product management, and product engineering.
| Product Lead | Product Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $118,828 | $125,592 |
| Hourly rate | $57.13 | $60.38 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 95,557 | 148,619 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 10 | - |
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.
A product engineering manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the development of products and procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. In a manufacturing setting, their responsibilities include setting objectives, managing the budgets and schedules, coordinating engineers and specialists, implementing solutions in vulnerable areas, and developing strategies to optimize procedures. They must also monitor the progress of processes, resolving any issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a product engineering manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Product leads and product engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Lead | Product Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $118,828 | $125,592 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $163,000 | Between $90,000 And $174,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a product lead and a product engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Product Lead | Product Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between product leads' and product engineering managers' demographics:
| Product Lead | Product Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9% | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% |
| 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, 2.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 14.8% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |