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Project manager, lead developer vs project leader

The differences between project managers, lead developer and project leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a project manager, lead developer, becoming a project leader takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project manager, lead developer has an average salary of $106,238, which is higher than the $98,559 average annual salary of a project leader.

The top three skills for a project manager, lead developer include software development, java and javascript. The most important skills for a project leader are project management, work ethic, and C++.

Project manager, lead developer vs project leader overview

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperProject Leader
Yearly salary$106,238$98,559
Hourly rate$51.08$47.38
Growth rate21%9%
Number of jobs312,680221,165
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3944
Years of experience46

Project manager, lead developer vs project leader salary

Project managers, lead developer and project leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperProject Leader
Average salary$106,238$98,559
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $141,000Between $70,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyRobert HalfBoston Consulting Group
Best paying industryInternetProfessional

Differences between project manager, lead developer and project leader education

There are a few differences between a project manager, lead developer and a project leader in terms of educational background:

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperProject Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Project manager, lead developer vs project leader demographics

Here are the differences between project managers, lead developer' and project leaders' demographics:

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperProject Leader
Average age3944
Gender ratioMale, 80.5% Female, 19.5%Male, 69.0% Female, 31.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%11%

Differences between project manager, lead developer and project leader duties and responsibilities

Project manager, lead developer example responsibilities.

  • Configure and manage JGroup multicasting communication for apache tomcat web servers.
  • Create build and deployment process for continuous up-time java web application on Linux servers.
  • Deliver a complete JavaScript - base game with JQuery.
  • Add JavaScript menu system and ASP.net controls pulling from XML data sources.
  • Revamp multiple external websites to meet current web standards using CSS and AJAX.
  • Spear-Head the creation of a stand alone CMS using MVC model and PHP / MySQl.
  • Show more

Project leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead and manage the automation effort for the PeopleSoft financials modules ensuring the desired requirement (s) coverage.
  • Lead the installation of VSAM file extension software that facilitate files larger than native VSAM specs.
  • Lead sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, sprint retrospective, scrum of scrum meetings.
  • Play a similar role for an ASP.NET web application (APA) which manages power plant availability information.
  • Manage using PMI methodologies though life cycle ensuring projects successfully complete within plan budget, schedule and scope.
  • Prepare RFP, evaluate bids, select vendor, negotiate contract, acquire hardware and software, manage development & implementation.
  • Show more

Project manager, lead developer vs project leader skills

Common project manager, lead developer skills
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Java, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • Scrum, 6%
  • Application Development, 5%
  • Web Application, 5%
Common project leader skills
  • Project Management, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • C++, 4%
  • C #, 4%
  • Project Plan, 4%
  • Status Reports, 3%

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