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Release manager vs change manager

The differences between release managers and change managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a release manager, becoming a change manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a release manager has an average salary of $109,886, which is higher than the $96,652 average annual salary of a change manager.

The top three skills for a release manager include release management, project management and software development. The most important skills for a change manager are project management, organizational change management, and portfolio.

Release manager vs change manager overview

Release ManagerChange Manager
Yearly salary$109,886$96,652
Hourly rate$52.83$46.47
Growth rate21%16%
Number of jobs38,54779,685
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4447
Years of experience68

What does a release manager do?

A release manager is responsible for supervising project releases across various platforms by closely coordinating with technology and project teams, ensuring the stability and efficiency of outputs according to clients' specifications and business needs. Release managers handle the delivery management procedures from conceptualization to production, maintaining budget requirements and adherence to timetables. They also perform quality check processes to identify possible defects and inconsistencies with the deliverables and adjusting initial project plans as needed.

What does a change manager do?

The primary role of a change manager is to ensure the timely achievement of corporate projects. Change managers will see to it that the projects are on the budget allotted by the company through heightened employee usage and adoption. They focus on changes in technology and systems, organizational structure, job roles, and business processes. The most significant skills for this job include strategic analysis, digital literacy, leadership, and communication skills.

Release manager vs change manager salary

Release managers and change managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Release ManagerChange Manager
Average salary$109,886$96,652
Salary rangeBetween $81,000 And $147,000Between $72,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryRetailProfessional

Differences between release manager and change manager education

There are a few differences between a release manager and a change manager in terms of educational background:

Release ManagerChange Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Release manager vs change manager demographics

Here are the differences between release managers' and change managers' demographics:

Release ManagerChange Manager
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 61.4% Female, 38.6%Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3%
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, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between release manager and change manager duties and responsibilities

Release manager example 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.
  • Programme shell scripts and manage multiple processes on both Linux and Unix environments.
  • Manage J2EE base large scale commercial enterprise software product releases and client accounts.
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Change manager example responsibilities.

  • Implement and manage network installations and design for ShoretTel VoIP telephone systems and upgrades to cabling for VoIP requirements.
  • Manage and maintain workflows for this CRM as well as the enterprise wide web-base work ticket solution (RedMine).
  • Manage SharePoint server configuration list.
  • Manage expenditures and all project budgets within the portfolio including monthly forecasting.
  • Manage several new global business opportunity RFP responses through securing third party proposals.
  • Manage the SDLC risk assessment matrix that include mitigation strategies and contingency plans for corporate communication.
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Release manager vs change manager skills

Common release manager skills
  • Release Management, 7%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Software Development, 5%
  • Jira, 4%
  • Release Process, 4%
  • QA, 4%
Common change manager skills
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Organizational Change Management, 9%
  • Portfolio, 6%
  • Governance, 6%
  • Client Facing, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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