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The differences between release managers and information technology technical 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 technical lead. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, which is higher than the $109,886 average annual salary of a release manager.
The top three skills for a release manager include release management, project management and software development. The most important skills for an information technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Release Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $109,886 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $52.83 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 38,547 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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.
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Release managers and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Release Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $109,886 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $81,000 And $147,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Meta | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a release manager and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Release Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between release managers' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Release Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| 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% |