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The differences between release managers and information technology project leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a release manager and an information technology project lead. Additionally, a release manager has an average salary of $109,886, which is higher than the $102,491 average annual salary of an information technology project lead.
The top three skills for a release manager include release management, project management and software development. The most important skills for an information technology project lead are project management, software development, and status reports.
| Release Manager | Information Technology Project Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $109,886 | $102,491 |
| Hourly rate | $52.83 | $49.27 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 38,547 | 181,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Information technology (IT) project leads are professionals who manage a team of IT professionals that work on the IT projects of an organization. These project leads are required to handle all issues regarding the project and financial management as well as review business and product requirements with the technical development team to address production issues. They must collaborate with the technical and application team leaders so that they can ensure the appropriate development of infrastructure architecture. IT project leads must also participate in negotiations with the software suppliers and IT consulting firms.
Release managers and information technology project leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Manager | Information Technology Project Lead | |
| Average salary | $109,886 | $102,491 |
| Salary range | Between $81,000 And $147,000 | Between $75,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a release manager and an information technology project lead in terms of educational background:
| Release Manager | Information Technology Project Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between release managers' and information technology project leads' demographics:
| Release Manager | Information Technology Project Lead | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 65.6% Female, 34.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 11% | 11% |