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The differences between special projects managers and assistant project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special projects manager has an average salary of $90,221, which is higher than the $76,020 average annual salary of an assistant project manager.
The top three skills for a special projects manager include project management, logistics and financial statements. The most important skills for an assistant project manager are project management, construction management, and general contractors.
| Special Projects Manager | Assistant Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $90,221 | $76,020 |
| Hourly rate | $43.38 | $36.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 114,925 | 119,279 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Special Projects Department is a vital part of the research and development branch in a company to design and create new products and services for customers to use. The special projects manager's responsibility is to request and allocate funds, personnel, and a specialist to the project. This person is also obligated to monitor and generate reports on the project's status and update the company management on the special project's daily status.
An assistant project manager is an individual who works directly under a project manager to support the planning and execution of projects. Associate project managers keep track of a project's progress and communicate with stakeholders about project needs and goals. They help procure materials and other essential items to meet project goals and avoid delays in completing a project. They are also responsible for resolving complex issues that arise in a project.
Special projects managers and assistant project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Projects Manager | Assistant Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $90,221 | $76,020 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $122,000 | Between $55,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Square Enix | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a special projects manager and an assistant project manager in terms of educational background:
| Special Projects Manager | Assistant Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between special projects managers' and assistant project managers' demographics:
| Special Projects Manager | Assistant Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9% | Male, 65.5% Female, 34.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.6% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |