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The differences between program directors and deans can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a program director and a dean. Additionally, a dean has an average salary of $86,318, which is higher than the $80,664 average annual salary of a program director.
The top three skills for a program director include oversight, social work and patients. The most important skills for a dean are curriculum development, oversight, and scholarship.
| Program Director | Dean | |
| Yearly salary | $80,664 | $86,318 |
| Hourly rate | $38.78 | $41.50 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 82,810 | 1,183 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 40 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A dean is responsible for overseeing the educational operations of the assigned department, enforcing school policies, and monitoring the students' progress by coordinating with the teachers and setting up procedures to improve teaching methods. Deans administer educational training and programs for the students, as well as extra-curricular activities to develop the students' social behavior, maximize their potentials, and increase their self-confidence. They also handle the department's budget, accurately allocating resources and funds to different activities and educational materials.
Program directors and deans have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Director | Dean | |
| Average salary | $80,664 | $86,318 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $129,000 | Between $49,000 And $150,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Los Altos, CA |
| Highest paying state | Georgia | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Palmer College of Chiropractic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a program director and a dean in terms of educational background:
| Program Director | Dean | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between program directors' and deans' demographics:
| Program Director | Dean | |
| Average age | 40 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 53.8% Female, 46.2% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 16% |