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The differences between software development managers and release 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 software development manager and a release manager. Additionally, a software development manager has an average salary of $134,747, which is higher than the $109,886 average annual salary of a release manager.
The top three skills for a software development manager include java, AWS and architecture. The most important skills for a release manager are release management, project management, and software development.
| Software Development Manager | Release Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $134,747 | $109,886 |
| Hourly rate | $64.78 | $52.83 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 265,464 | 38,547 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
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.
Software development managers and release managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Manager | Release Manager | |
| Average salary | $134,747 | $109,886 |
| Salary range | Between $100,000 And $180,000 | Between $81,000 And $147,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a software development manager and a release manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Manager | Release Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software development managers' and release managers' demographics:
| Software Development Manager | Release Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% |
| 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% |