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Project team lead vs technical project manager

The differences between project team leads and technical project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a project team lead and a technical project manager. Additionally, a technical project manager has an average salary of $108,205, which is higher than the $105,306 average annual salary of a project team lead.

The top three skills for a project team lead include project management, R and project scope. The most important skills for a technical project manager are project management, technical project, and scrum.

Project team lead vs technical project manager overview

Project Team LeadTechnical Project Manager
Yearly salary$105,306$108,205
Hourly rate$50.63$52.02
Growth rate10%16%
Number of jobs125,539209,820
Job satisfaction-1
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

What does a project team lead do?

A project team lead sets up the expectations for the team members. Project team leads are in charge of setting the direction for the team members. They see to it that the members will not stray from the team's goals. They lead and engage in project works. It is their job to maintain the dynamics of the team. It is their aim not to fail in their management and leadership skills. They need to have conflict and resolution skills, communication skills, attention to detail, and patience.

What does a technical project manager do?

The role of technical project managers is to oversee the planning and management of projects within a company. They are considered as the lead subject matter expert in terms of technology concerns. They have varied duties that include ensuring the completion of projects within an established budget and time frame, hiring and training support members, and improving resource management and project planning. They also communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with other departments, all to attain a common goal.

Project team lead vs technical project manager salary

Project team leads and technical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project Team LeadTechnical Project Manager
Average salary$105,306$108,205
Salary rangeBetween $80,000 And $137,000Between $81,000 And $142,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCitiSheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between project team lead and technical project manager education

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

Project Team LeadTechnical Project Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Project team lead vs technical project manager demographics

Here are the differences between project team leads' and technical project managers' demographics:

Project Team LeadTechnical Project Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 67.6% Female, 32.4%Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between project team lead and technical project manager duties and responsibilities

Project team lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage UAT, build test plans, regression testing, compile results, training.
  • Lead the program integration effort for a major conversion / upgrade of ERP software for military aircraft production programs.
  • Design SharePoint Wiki sites, and manage SharePoint environment.
  • Manage RFP large scale network/infrastructure relate expansion, integration, and/or decommissioning projects.
  • Lead team that develop an integrate database with a web-base user interface that allow repair crews in locating information and equipment.
  • Design and implement SQL data table setup and program financial and payroll system interfaces.
  • Show more

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.
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Project team lead vs technical project manager skills

Common project team lead skills
  • Project Management, 15%
  • R, 8%
  • Project Scope, 6%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • HVAC, 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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