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The differences between subject matter experts and leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a subject matter expert, becoming a leader takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a subject matter expert has an average salary of $103,749, which is higher than the $86,964 average annual salary of a leader.
The top three skills for a subject matter expert include SME, project management and DOD. The most important skills for a leader are customer service, strong time management, and excellent interpersonal.
| Subject Matter Expert | Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $103,749 | $86,964 |
| Hourly rate | $49.88 | $41.81 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 58,235 | 172,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A subject matter expert is someone who has special knowledge and expertise about a specific process or service, providing advice to other team members or directly assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns. Subject matter experts coordinate on planning strategic procedures to improve the work processes and ensure customer satisfaction. They are also active in participating in learning programs and training sessions to share their knowledge and best practices for their specialization. Subject matter experts identify potential business opportunities to generate more revenues for the business and achieve its profitability goals.
Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.
Subject matter experts and leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Subject Matter Expert | Leader | |
| Average salary | $103,749 | $86,964 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $146,000 | Between $49,000 And $153,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | California | Maine |
| Best paying company | Apple | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a subject matter expert and a leader in terms of educational background:
| Subject Matter Expert | Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between subject matter experts' and leaders' demographics:
| Subject Matter Expert | Leader | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 12.1% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 6% |