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Program manager vs consultant/project manager

The differences between program managers and consultant/project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a consultant/project manager has an average salary of $100,754, which is higher than the $96,084 average annual salary of a program manager.

The top three skills for a program manager include project management, program management and oversight. The most important skills for a consultant/project manager are project management, project scope, and business development.

Program manager vs consultant/project manager overview

Program ManagerConsultant/Project Manager
Yearly salary$96,084$100,754
Hourly rate$46.19$48.44
Growth rate12%11%
Number of jobs197,556213,963
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

What does a program manager do?

A program manager is responsible for monitoring the project's progress, improving and developing new strategies, and coordinate various projects across the organization to ensure the success of the business objective. Program managers also manage the program's expenses, ensuring that the projects adhere to the budget goals without compromising the quality and accuracy of the result. A program manager should regularly connect with the different teams of every project under the program to keep track of the processes and procedures for the timely delivery of the product.

What does a consultant/project manager do?

Consultants/project managers act as planners, leaders, and advisors in business enterprises. These professionals facilitate meetings and establish positive relationships with vendors, management, and clients. They make customer visits, maintain industry knowledge, procure third-party software and hardware, and deliver projects. It is also part of their duty to manage complex initiatives in an individual business unit or organization. Their skills include analytical, time and cost management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and proficiency in project management software.

Program manager vs consultant/project manager salary

Program managers and consultant/project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program ManagerConsultant/Project Manager
Average salary$96,084$100,754
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $141,000Between $74,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyMetaMicrosoft
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between program manager and consultant/project manager education

There are a few differences between a program manager and a consultant/project manager in terms of educational background:

Program ManagerConsultant/Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Program manager vs consultant/project manager demographics

Here are the differences between program managers' and consultant/project managers' demographics:

Program ManagerConsultant/Project Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between program manager and consultant/project manager duties and responsibilities

Program manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead managed services provider engagement of onshore and offshore interactive development and QA for pharmaceutical marketing department.
  • Lead multiple team workshops and initiate RFP proposals.
  • Manage the work process across projects as per PMI standards.
  • Develop, manage, and oversee EMBA study abroad in-residencies to Asia.
  • Manage content updates for all salesforce marketing materials, print and digital.
  • Manage the service level expectations with client agencies by monitoring and assessment establish KPIs, agreements and contracts.
    • Show more

Consultant/project manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead and manage team of business analysts responsible for defining detail functional specifications for large-scale CRM implementation.
  • Project manage software development initiatives according to company SDLC.
  • Manage quality/regulatory control and clinical personnel, to deliver on time data-migration project using SDLC.
  • Develop training programs for ERP implementations, and manage development of custom performance support and knowledge management software solutions.
  • Implement a repeatable process methodology base on the PMI PMBOK defining a systematic approach to delivering solutions and achieving customer objectives.
  • Draft system documentation and create business process flows using Visio.
    • Show more

Program manager vs consultant/project manager skills

Common program manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Program Management, 11%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Excellent Organizational, 3%
Common consultant/project manager skills
  • Project Management, 19%
  • Project Scope, 11%
  • Business Development, 10%
  • Executive Management, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • Manage Project Scope, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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