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The differences between software project managers and consultant/project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a software project manager has an average salary of $115,181, which is higher than the $100,754 average annual salary of a consultant/project manager.
The top three skills for a software project manager include project management, scrum and development process. The most important skills for a consultant/project manager are project management, project scope, and business development.
| Software Project Manager | Consultant/Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $115,181 | $100,754 |
| Hourly rate | $55.38 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 285,134 | 213,963 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A software project manager is responsible for leading software projects and development from its conceptualization to final deliverables. Software project managers coordinate with the clients for their specifications and requirements, including their budget limitations and timetables. They discuss the project outline with software developers and design engineers and gather all the ideas for the design plan. A software project manager reviews every successful milestone completion, revise project plans as needed, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software applications by running quality control tests.
Consultants/project managers act as planners, leaders, and advisors in business enterprises. These professionals facilitate meetings and establish positive relationships with vendors, management, and clients. They make customer visits, maintain industry knowledge, procure third-party software and hardware, and deliver projects. It is also part of their duty to manage complex initiatives in an individual business unit or organization. Their skills include analytical, time and cost management, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, and proficiency in project management software.
Software project managers and consultant/project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Project Manager | Consultant/Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $115,181 | $100,754 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $156,000 | Between $74,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software project manager and a consultant/project manager in terms of educational background:
| Software Project Manager | Consultant/Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between software project managers' and consultant/project managers' demographics:
| Software Project Manager | Consultant/Project Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8% | Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |