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The differences between special projects managers and directors, special projects can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director, special projects has an average salary of $129,916, which is higher than the $90,221 average annual salary of a special projects manager.
The top three skills for a special projects manager include project management, logistics and financial statements. The most important skills for a director, special projects are project management, website content, and financial statements.
| Special Projects Manager | Director, Special Projects | |
| Yearly salary | $90,221 | $129,916 |
| Hourly rate | $43.38 | $62.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 114,925 | 45,103 |
| 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.
The primary responsibility of a director of special projects is to ensure the successful conclusion of construction-related projects. Special project directors lead, organize, and perform corporate projects outside their duties. They utilize project management, business process management, and change management disciplines for timely and cost-effective initiatives delivery. It is part of their responsibilities to collaborate with business leaders and entrepreneurs to perform corporate programs and initiatives. They also manage process enhancements and various special programs.
Special projects managers and directors, special projects have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Projects Manager | Director, Special Projects | |
| Average salary | $90,221 | $129,916 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $122,000 | Between $91,000 And $185,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Palo Alto Networks | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a special projects manager and a director, special projects in terms of educational background:
| Special Projects Manager | Director, Special Projects | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between special projects managers' and directors, special projects' demographics:
| Special Projects Manager | Director, Special Projects | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |