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The differences between subject matter experts and requirements managers 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 requirements manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a subject matter expert has an average salary of $103,749, which is higher than the $87,310 average annual salary of a requirements manager.
The top three skills for a subject matter expert include SME, project management and DOD. The most important skills for a requirements manager are java, client facing, and emerging technologies.
| Subject Matter Expert | Requirements Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $103,749 | $87,310 |
| Hourly rate | $49.88 | $41.98 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 58,235 | 64,837 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
A Requirements Manager develops and oversees procedures to ensure that projects meet their needs. They focus on identifying project requirements through extensive research and analysis, conceptualizing plans to attain them. There are also instances when they must spearhead product and requirement reviews, identifying their strengths and weaknesses to develop solutions against potential problem areas. Most Requirements Managers manage development teams, leading and encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company standards and regulations for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Subject matter experts and requirements managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Subject Matter Expert | Requirements Manager | |
| Average salary | $103,749 | $87,310 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $146,000 | Between $56,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between a subject matter expert and a requirements manager in terms of educational background:
| Subject Matter Expert | Requirements Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between subject matter experts' and requirements managers' demographics:
| Subject Matter Expert | Requirements Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% | Male, 66.8% Female, 33.2% |
| 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, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 11% |