How To Become A Release Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a release manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Release managers are responsible for managing the complete software delivery life cycle. They work with the team from the planning phase to the deployment phase, including the development and testing phases. Their time is used planning, testing, tracking, release, deployment, communication, and risk management. They plan the release of project deliverables and release life cycle. They inform the various teams of all project tasks, including plans, timelines, requirements, and so on. Additionally, they identify the risks that can affect the release and resolve them to avoid delay. Also, they give a regular update of release operations.

Employers seek applicants with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related discipline. Applicants must possess two to six years of experience in a related role. Essential skills include communication, leadership, computer, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management skills. Release managers earn as high as $152,000 with a low of $73,000. Annually, they earn an average of $105,193.

ScoreRelease ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $109,886

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 38.62%

male 61.38%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a release manager

Explore release manager education requirements

Most common release manager degrees

Bachelor's

69.5 %

Master's

18.6 %

Associate

7.9 %

Start to develop specific release manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Release Management	7.49%
Project Management	5.59%
Software Development	4.83%
Jira	4.10%
Release Process	3.97%

Complete relevant release manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New release managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a release manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real release manager resumes.

Research release manager duties and responsibilities

Used ruby to manage different templates in puppet modules.
Create, manage and write UAT process and test cases.
Manage configuration and log files with custom written PowerShell scripts.
Manage testing of new software updates and assist in debugging computer programs.

Prepare your release manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your release manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a release manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable release manager resume templates

Build a professional release manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your release manager resume.