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The differences between professional development managers and development managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a professional development manager, becoming a development manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a development manager has an average salary of $110,678, which is higher than the $101,737 average annual salary of a professional development manager.
The top three skills for a professional development manager include professional growth, project management and educational programs. The most important skills for a development manager are project management, customer service, and patients.
| Professional Development Manager | Development Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $101,737 | $110,678 |
| Hourly rate | $48.91 | $53.21 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 114,553 | 111,137 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 10 |
A professional development manager is typically responsible for designing and developing career and professional growth programs in companies. Their responsibilities usually include planning interviews and assessments to identify the employees' needs, establishing guidelines and timelines, coordinating staff, liaising with internal and external parties, and collaborating with other experts. They must also develop training programs to enhance employees' soft and hard skills. Moreover, as a professional development manager, they must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A development manager is responsible for assisting existing clients or potential clients of the services they need. A development manager serves as the initial point of contact for the clients to answer their inquiries and concerns before proceeding with a contract. Development managers usually arrange meetings with clients, analyze business opportunities, improve marketing initiatives to attract clients, research the industry's latest trends, create proposals, and assist in training new staff members. A development manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle staff performance and build professional relationships with clients.
Professional development managers and development managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Professional Development Manager | Development Manager | |
| Average salary | $101,737 | $110,678 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $156,000 | Between $76,000 And $159,000 |
| Highest paying City | Daly City, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a professional development manager and a development manager in terms of educational background:
| Professional Development Manager | Development Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between professional development managers' and development managers' demographics:
| Professional Development Manager | Development Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1% | Male, 60.5% Female, 39.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 18% | 10% |