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Special programs director vs program director

The differences between special programs directors and program directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a special programs director and a program director. Additionally, a program director has an average salary of $80,664, which is higher than the $63,873 average annual salary of a special programs director.

The top three skills for a special programs director include program management, program development and substance abuse. The most important skills for a program director are oversight, social work, and patients.

Special programs director vs program director overview

Special Programs DirectorProgram Director
Yearly salary$63,873$80,664
Hourly rate$30.71$38.78
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs28,05882,810
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4040
Years of experience66

Special programs director vs program director salary

Special programs directors and program directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Programs DirectorProgram Director
Average salary$63,873$80,664
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $114,000Between $50,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Georgia
Best paying company-Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between special programs director and program director education

There are a few differences between a special programs director and a program director in terms of educational background:

Special Programs DirectorProgram Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Special programs director vs program director demographics

Here are the differences between special programs directors' and program directors' demographics:

Special Programs DirectorProgram Director
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 41.6% Female, 58.4%Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%14%

Differences between special programs director and program director duties and responsibilities

Special programs director example responsibilities.

  • Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
  • Experience in designing, developing and implementing large-scale networking deployments and LAN/WAN infrastructures with special emphasis on compliance with FDA regulations.
  • Orchestrate all regulatory and accreditation visits and extensive experience in development and writing plans of correction; includes CMS validation survey.
  • Research and interpret regulatory changes to CMS reimbursement models; forecasting the impact and develop strategic plans to optimize financial impact.
  • Plan / direct daily recreation classes and instruct sport and drama classes

Program director example responsibilities.

  • Manage personnel performing SAS programming, technical document preparation and quality assurance.
  • Manage program budgets and supervise staff to ensure that immunization and registry activities are successfully implement.
  • Manage direct support professionals serving adult populations for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and children with autism.
  • Manage day-to-day oversight and management involving planning, programming, execution, distribution, and analysis for assign organizations budgets.
  • Implement client ADL, ISP, and behavior plans in a group home.
  • Organize schedule for swim lessons and kids camp.
  • Show more

Special programs director vs program director skills

Common special programs director skills
  • Program Management, 20%
  • Program Development, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Program Budget, 7%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • DOD, 7%
Common program director skills
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%

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