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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 | Assistant Program Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $80,664 | $53,402 |
| Hourly rate | $38.78 | $25.67 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 82,810 | 74,897 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
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.
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 directors and assistant program managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Director | Assistant Program Manager | |
| Average salary | $80,664 | $53,402 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $129,000 | Between $35,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Georgia | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a program director and an assistant program manager in terms of educational background:
| Program Director | Assistant Program Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between program directors' and assistant program managers' demographics:
| Program Director | Assistant Program Manager | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 14% | 11% |