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Program officer vs program director

The differences between program officers and program directors 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 officer and a program director. Additionally, a program director has an average salary of $80,664, which is higher than the $79,553 average annual salary of a program officer.

The top three skills for a program officer include project management, program management and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a program director are oversight, social work, and patients.

Program officer vs program director overview

Program OfficerProgram Director
Yearly salary$79,553$80,664
Hourly rate$38.25$38.78
Growth rate12%8%
Number of jobs118,38382,810
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4540
Years of experience66

What does a program officer do?

A program officer is an essential part of a foundation or charitable organization. It is up to program officers to supervise program progress and proposals, seek grants, manage projects, and oversee budgets. They generally guarantee that an organization's activities and programs are met with the vision and mission statements of that foundation. It is the program officer's responsibility to complete various tasks in completing the demands of this position. Moreover, their job includes developing their staff, implementation, and daily management of activities.

What does a program director do?

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.

Program officer vs program director salary

Program officers and program directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program OfficerProgram Director
Average salary$79,553$80,664
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $117,000Between $50,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaGeorgia
Best paying companyBNP ParibasMayo Clinic
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between program officer and program director education

There are a few differences between a program officer and a program director in terms of educational background:

Program OfficerProgram Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Program officer vs program director demographics

Here are the differences between program officers' and program directors' demographics:

Program OfficerProgram Director
Average age4540
Gender ratioMale, 47.1% Female, 52.9%Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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%
LGBT Percentage14%14%

Differences between program officer and program director duties and responsibilities

Program officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage request for proposals (RFP) processes, and oversee contractors/vendors for research-relate activities.
  • Manage a political party strengthening program in Colombia and a civil society strengthening program in Peru from NDI's main office.
  • Lead the introduction and upgrade of wireless infrastructure at remote locations to ensure adherence with internal and international wireless standards.
  • Follow privacy guidelines (HIPAA).
  • Increase immunization coverage for the different age groups.
  • Improve store rates for hitting all internal sales and QA goals.
    • Show more

Program director example responsibilities.

  • Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
  • Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
  • Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
  • Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.
    • Show more

Program officer vs program director skills

Common program officer skills
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Program Management, 7%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Public Health, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%
Common program director skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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