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Project manager, lead developer vs technical project manager

The differences between project managers, lead developer and technical project managers 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 technical project manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a technical project manager has an average salary of $108,205, which is higher than the $106,238 average annual salary of a project manager, lead developer.

The top three skills for a project manager, lead developer include software development, java and javascript. The most important skills for a technical project manager are project management, technical project, and scrum.

Project manager, lead developer vs technical project manager overview

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperTechnical Project Manager
Yearly salary$106,238$108,205
Hourly rate$51.08$52.02
Growth rate21%16%
Number of jobs312,680209,820
Job satisfaction-1
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3944
Years of experience46

Project manager, lead developer vs technical project manager salary

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

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperTechnical Project Manager
Average salary$106,238$108,205
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $141,000Between $81,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyRobert HalfSheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
Best paying industryInternetFinance

Differences between project manager, lead developer and technical project manager education

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

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperTechnical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Project manager, lead developer vs technical project manager demographics

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

Project Manager, Lead DeveloperTechnical Project Manager
Average age3944
Gender ratioMale, 80.5% Female, 19.5%Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8%
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 technical project manager 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.
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Technical project manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage project plan with PeopleSoft support team.
  • Manage development through launch of first-ever Microsoft OS touchscreen and keyboard smartphone.
  • Lead the complete system re-write of the mission critical enterprise POS retail system.
  • Manage the daily operations and support of the legacy systems while PeopleSoft are implemented.
  • Help manage the project to install a new Cisco VOIP solution for the entire district.
  • Manage, analyze, and enhance pricing program operational control processes and develop SOX controls and documentation over this process.
  • Show more

Project manager, lead developer vs technical project manager skills

Common project manager, lead developer skills
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Java, 7%
  • JavaScript, 6%
  • Scrum, 6%
  • Application Development, 5%
  • Web Application, 5%
Common technical project manager skills
  • Project Management, 15%
  • Technical Project, 10%
  • Scrum, 7%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Jira, 5%
  • Software Development, 4%

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