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Special projects coordinator vs project manager

The differences between special projects coordinators and project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a project manager has an average salary of $91,578, which is higher than the $44,576 average annual salary of a special projects coordinator.

The top three skills for a special projects coordinator include powerpoint, financial reports and human resources. The most important skills for a project manager are project management, project scope, and customer service.

Special projects coordinator vs project manager overview

Special Projects CoordinatorProject Manager
Yearly salary$44,576$91,578
Hourly rate$21.43$44.03
Growth rate4%8%
Number of jobs30,262167,116
Job satisfaction-4.17
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

What does a special projects coordinator do?

A special project manager spearheads and oversees special projects and programs, ensuring it adheres to deadlines and budgets. Among their responsibilities include managing staff and timelines, setting objectives and guidelines, monitoring the progress of projects, and producing progress reports for the executives. Should there be any issues and concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a special projects manager must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a project manager do?

Project managers oversee a specific project related to the organization's business. They manage the whole project from inception to evaluation. They initiate planning with involved departments, follow-through on the plans, ensure smooth execution of the plans, and evaluate the project for further improvements should these be needed. In line with this, project managers also ensure that the project is cost-efficient and well within the budget. They also manage the different work teams involved in the project and ensure that things are running smoothly on this aspect as well.

Special projects coordinator vs project manager salary

Special projects coordinators and project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Projects CoordinatorProject Manager
Average salary$44,576$91,578
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $62,000Between $64,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyCloudflareThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between special projects coordinator and project manager education

There are a few differences between a special projects coordinator and a project manager in terms of educational background:

Special Projects CoordinatorProject Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Special projects coordinator vs project manager demographics

Here are the differences between special projects coordinators' and project managers' demographics:

Special Projects CoordinatorProject Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 36.6% Female, 63.4%Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.4% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between special projects coordinator and project manager duties and responsibilities

Special projects coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage most aspects of major grants, in charge of HUD grants distribute by the organization.
  • Manage Excel/ SharePoint reporting and communicate project status to stakeholders.
  • Manage the database development for the wholesaler product disbursement system and the merchandising operations payroll system.
  • Provide oversight of various contract research projects.
  • Coordinate team-building efforts and interpret federal and state policy and guidance for county-level public health emergency preparedness coordinators.
  • Create and maintain Facebook page.
  • Show more

Project manager example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and manage the GCP audit process.
  • Define, develop and manage metrics and KPIs systems for new product business group.
  • Manage the application process for the FDA medical device, minority and small business certifications.
  • Manage multiple projects and resources simultaneously while mentoring, coaching and implementing best practices, SOX and HIPAA compliance standards.
  • Lead teams using the Informatica ETL tool for the design and development of multiple financial and risk enterprise data warehouses.
  • Administer and manage Salesforce requirements.
  • Show more

Special projects coordinator vs project manager skills

Common special projects coordinator skills
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Financial Reports, 7%
  • Human Resources, 7%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Event Planning, 5%
Common project manager skills
  • Project Management, 23%
  • Project Scope, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Status Reports, 4%
  • Risk Management, 3%

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