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Program director vs assistant program manager

The differences between program directors and assistant program managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a program director, becoming an assistant program manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a program director has an average salary of $80,664, which is higher than the $53,402 average annual salary of an assistant program manager.

The top three skills for a program director include oversight, social work and patients. The most important skills for an assistant program manager are CPR, program management, and APM.

Program director vs assistant program manager overview

Program DirectorAssistant Program Manager
Yearly salary$80,664$53,402
Hourly rate$38.78$25.67
Growth rate8%12%
Number of jobs82,81074,897
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4043
Years of experience612

What does a program director do?

Program directors are employees who oversee all aspects of a specific program in the company. They usually work in nonprofit organizations or are assigned to a department doing corporate social responsibility activities. Program directors ensure that the program is in line with the company's goals. They also ensure that the resources assigned to the program are properly managed and that all finances are accounted for. They create strategies to ensure the success of the program and communicate these to everyone involved. They lead the implementation and evaluation of the program.

What does an assistant program manager do?

An assistant program manager takes supervision of the employees within an organization. Assistant program managers provide help in projects' practical management systematically. They plan and monitor project budgets and work calendar. Part of their job is to work on projects with cross-functional teams. They manage and deliver the application programs of the companies. Also, they make an arrangement of program activities based on the set deadline. Skills necessary for this job include customer service, program management, and communication skills.

Program director vs assistant program manager salary

Program directors and assistant program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program DirectorAssistant Program Manager
Average salary$80,664$53,402
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $129,000Between $35,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateGeorgiaCalifornia
Best paying companyMayo ClinicFUJIFILM Medical Systems USA
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between program director and assistant program manager education

There are a few differences between a program director and an assistant program manager in terms of educational background:

Program DirectorAssistant Program Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Program director vs assistant program manager demographics

Here are the differences between program directors' and assistant program managers' demographics:

Program DirectorAssistant Program Manager
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 41.4% Female, 58.6%Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage14%11%

Differences between program director and assistant program manager duties and responsibilities

Program director example responsibilities.

  • Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
  • Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
  • Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
  • Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.
  • Show more

Assistant program manager example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily clinical documentation audits, manage consumer financial accounts, provide oversight and approval for all treatment and discharge planning.
  • Oversee scheduling of camp arrivals on campus, assist manager with preparation of unit budget and payroll.
  • Hire and supervise employees, employee scheduling, continue employee training, facilitating staff meetings and preparing payroll reports.
  • Assist in collecting statistical report data & assist in the completion other relate program documents in compliance with HUD correspondence.
  • Schedule and run interdisciplinary meetings.
  • Complete annual re-certification and interim reviews according to HUD regulations.
  • Show more

Program director vs assistant program manager skills

Common program director skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%
Common assistant program manager skills
  • CPR, 10%
  • Program Management, 8%
  • APM, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Kids, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%

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