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Program manager vs technician

The differences between program managers and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program manager has an average salary of $96,084, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a program manager include project management, program management and oversight. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Program manager vs technician overview

Program ManagerTechnician
Yearly salary$96,084$38,045
Hourly rate$46.19$18.29
Growth rate12%1%
Number of jobs197,556596,842
Job satisfaction52
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4740
Years of experience-2

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 technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Program manager vs technician salary

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

Program ManagerTechnician
Average salary$96,084$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $141,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyMetaMicrosoft
Best paying industryTechnologyTelecommunication

Differences between program manager and technician education

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

Program ManagerTechnician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Program manager vs technician demographics

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

Program ManagerTechnician
Average age4740
Gender ratioMale, 52.9% Female, 47.1%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage10%2%

Differences between program manager and technician 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

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Program manager vs technician skills

Common program manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Program Management, 11%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Infrastructure, 3%
  • Excellent Organizational, 3%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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