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The differences between project associates and program/project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program/project manager has an average salary of $101,850, which is higher than the $56,523 average annual salary of a project associate.
The top three skills for a project associate include project management, data collection and powerpoint. The most important skills for a program/project manager are project management, program management, and PMP.
| Project Associate | Program/Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $56,523 | $101,850 |
| Hourly rate | $27.17 | $48.97 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 107,546 | 243,017 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A project associate (PA) is an individual who ensures that the activities of a project are running smoothly and properly implemented. Project associates are required to provide administrative coordination support to assigned projects and maintain project pending lists and meeting agendas. They must review and process invoices from consultants, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure that they are according to the project's requirements. In collaboration with the senior project officer, project associates should also assist in tracking and documenting project deliverables.
The program manager and project manager are two important positions within a company that are thought to be similar. However, program managers direct diverse projects and programs while project managers head the team who is responsible for ensuring a project is completed on time and within budget. Program managers are responsible for the conveyance of the company goals and generally act as a customer interface that helps clients get their desired update and change of a project. Project managers, on the other hand, focus on the project's schedule, scope, and resources needed to complete it on time.
Project associates and program/project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Associate | Program/Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $56,523 | $101,850 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $80,000 | Between $74,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Professional |
There are a few differences between a project associate and a program/project manager in terms of educational background:
| Project Associate | Program/Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between project associates' and program/project managers' demographics:
| Project Associate | Program/Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |