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Program manager vs portfolio manager

The differences between program managers and portfolio managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a portfolio manager has an average salary of $114,671, 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 portfolio manager are portfolio management, customer service, and risk management.

Program manager vs portfolio manager overview

Program ManagerPortfolio Manager
Yearly salary$96,084$114,671
Hourly rate$46.19$55.13
Growth rate12%17%
Number of jobs197,55643,192
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4746
Years of experience-8

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 portfolio manager do?

A portfolio manager is responsible for managing the clients' investment portfolios to advise them of the best investment plans to achieve their financial goals and objectives. Portfolio managers determine the most suitable options by evaluating the clients' credit score and risk potential and the client's financial background. A portfolio manager should be highly knowledgeable and updated with the recent financial industry changes to decide on investment plans with maximum returns.

Program manager vs portfolio manager salary

Program managers and portfolio managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program ManagerPortfolio Manager
Average salary$96,084$114,671
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $141,000Between $66,000 And $198,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAStamford, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyMetaThe Citadel
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between program manager and portfolio manager education

There are a few differences between a program manager and a portfolio manager in terms of educational background:

Program ManagerPortfolio Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Program manager vs portfolio manager demographics

Here are the differences between program managers' and portfolio managers' demographics:

Program ManagerPortfolio Manager
Average age4746
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%11%

Differences between program manager and portfolio 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

Portfolio manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage ongoing existing client needs and assist in credit structuring at loan origination.
  • Manage over $900M in U.S. Equities and fixed-income; are simultaneously responsible for monitoring over $1.4b in global assets
  • Manage governance, engage stakeholders and communicate budget impact to senior management.
  • Conduct post-promotion analysis and manage financial reporting to ensure favorable ROI for clients.
  • Create PowerPoint presentation books for clients.
  • Facilitate internal, external, GAAP audits.
    • Show more

Program manager vs portfolio manager skills

Common program manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Program Management, 11%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Excellent Organizational, 3%
Common portfolio manager skills
  • Portfolio Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • Real Estate, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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