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The differences between program leads and program supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a program lead, becoming a program supervisor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a program lead has an average salary of $100,727, which is higher than the $45,460 average annual salary of a program supervisor.
The top three skills for a program lead include project management, HR and work ethic. The most important skills for a program supervisor are autism, social work, and developmental disabilities.
| Program Lead | Program Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $100,727 | $45,460 |
| Hourly rate | $48.43 | $21.86 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 61,632 | 65,551 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A program lead is responsible for managing a business program's operation from its conceptualization to implementation. Program leads must have excellent communication and researching skills to monitor current industry trends, adjusting program techniques and strategies to meet society's demands. They have a clear understanding of the organization's long-term goals and outline plans to define those objectives, bringing new programs to light following clients' specifications that would help the business grow revenues, maintain customer satisfaction, and keep its good reputation, and achieve profitability goals.
A program supervisor is an individual who coordinates and monitors the scheduling and technical performance of company programs. Program supervisors aid in negotiating contracts and are responsible for any contractual changes. They recommend changes to the plans to improve process efficiency and develop solutions to any program problems. Program supervisors work under a manager's supervision and the role requires a bachelor's degree with relevant job experience. They are also independent at the same time and can collaborate with other staff members.
Program leads and program supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Lead | Program Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $100,727 | $45,460 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $171,000 | Between $37,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Sephora |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a program lead and a program supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Program Lead | Program Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between program leads' and program supervisors' demographics:
| Program Lead | Program Supervisor | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1% | Male, 37.0% Female, 63.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 14% |