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Software release manager vs project management lead

The differences between software release managers and project management 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 software release manager and a project management lead. Additionally, a software release manager has an average salary of $123,105, which is higher than the $85,117 average annual salary of a project management lead.

The top three skills for a software release manager include software releases, release management and software development. The most important skills for a project management lead are project management, customer service, and portfolio.

Software release manager vs project management lead overview

Software Release ManagerProject Management Lead
Yearly salary$123,105$85,117
Hourly rate$59.19$40.92
Growth rate21%11%
Number of jobs24,211158,441
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Software release manager vs project management lead salary

Software release managers and project management leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Software Release ManagerProject Management Lead
Average salary$123,105$85,117
Salary rangeBetween $92,000 And $163,000Between $53,000 And $136,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryManufacturingEnergy

Differences between software release manager and project management lead education

There are a few differences between a software release manager and a project management lead in terms of educational background:

Software Release ManagerProject Management Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyStanford University

Software release manager vs project management lead demographics

Here are the differences between software release managers' and project management leads' demographics:

Software Release ManagerProject Management Lead
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.4% Female, 36.6%Male, 59.2% Female, 40.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between software release manager and project management lead duties and responsibilities

Software release manager example responsibilities.

  • Research and self-train in JIRA administration and am currently managing projects across several groups.
  • Work with management to train and identify other teams to manage mission critical projects to use TFS with.
  • Manage customer relationship by communicating SharePoint architecture standards and frameworks; answering questions; resolving concerns and issues.
  • Implement new processes to improve quality of software deliver through the systems development life cycle (SDLC).
  • Create shell scripts, xml properties for Java builds.
  • Create data models to translate business needs into requirements for developers and QA teams.
  • Show more

Project management lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage system architecture design, software development and QA testing process.
  • Direct and oversee multiple PMs and/or team leads on complex projects.
  • Manage and maintain all financial responsibilities including receivables, payroll, taxation, budgeting, internal audit and compliance and bookkeeping.
  • Plan, develop, and lead cross-functional project teams to develop and implement infrastructure solutions and product offerings using PMI methodology.
  • Manage several mechanical retrofit projects for Verizon.
  • Manage ITIL process implementation review of change and configuration management.
  • Show more

Software release manager vs project management lead skills

Common software release manager skills
  • Software Releases, 10%
  • Release Management, 10%
  • Software Development, 10%
  • Release Process, 6%
  • QA, 5%
  • Management Process, 4%
Common project management lead skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Portfolio, 6%
  • Risk Management, 6%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Organizational Change Management, 4%

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