Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between software development project managers and technical project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a software development project manager, becoming a technical project manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a technical project manager has an average salary of $108,205, which is higher than the $106,633 average annual salary of a software development project manager.
The top three skills for a software development project manager include project management, scrum and software development. The most important skills for a technical project manager are project management, technical project, and scrum.
| Software Development Project Manager | Technical Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $106,633 | $108,205 |
| Hourly rate | $51.27 | $52.02 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 331,412 | 209,820 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Software development project managers are responsible for scheduling, planning, and delivering software and web projects. The managers must have knowledge of project estimation techniques and the ability to motivate team members. These managers plan out the blueprints for software projects like allocating resources, laying out communication strategies, and indicating test and maintenance. Also, they participate and supervise each stage of the project, ensure each project stays on schedule and adheres to the deadline, and discuss potential projects with clients, software developers, and executives.
The role of technical project managers is to oversee the planning and management of projects within a company. They are considered as the lead subject matter expert in terms of technology concerns. They have varied duties that include ensuring the completion of projects within an established budget and time frame, hiring and training support members, and improving resource management and project planning. They also communicate with stakeholders and collaborate with other departments, all to attain a common goal.
Software development project managers and technical project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Development Project Manager | Technical Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $106,633 | $108,205 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $148,000 | Between $81,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Barclays | Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a software development project manager and a technical project manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Development Project Manager | Technical Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software development project managers' and technical project managers' demographics:
| Software Development Project Manager | Technical Project Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.6% Female, 25.4% | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 11% |