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Team lead/manager vs dept manager

The differences between team lead/managers and dept managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a team lead/manager and a dept manager. Additionally, a team lead/manager has an average salary of $88,042, which is higher than the $50,222 average annual salary of a dept manager.

The top three skills for a team lead/manager include excellent interpersonal, customer service and cleanliness. The most important skills for a dept manager are customer service, sales floor, and pallet jack.

Team lead/manager vs dept manager overview

Team Lead/ManagerDept Manager
Yearly salary$88,042$50,222
Hourly rate$42.33$24.15
Growth rate8%6%
Number of jobs194,880221,313
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a team lead/manager do?

A team lead or manager is an individual who is responsible for guiding and directing employees so that they can achieve efficient operations within the organization. Team leads manage all the activities of their employees and distribute information to them as well as stakeholders. They provide coaching and training to employees so that they can achieve goals and developed the necessary skills that get results. The team also leads set ground rules and properly assigns tasks to employees so that they can avoid conflicts among staff.

What does a dept manager do?

A department manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the assigned department, ensuring the maximum productivity and optimal performance of the staff. Department managers also coordinate with business partners, clients, and customers, as well as identifying business opportunities to drive more revenues and increase profitability. They handle department budgets and maintain the proper allocation of resources to support project management and deliverables. A department manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, managing the staff's needs, and providing excellent support.

Team lead/manager vs dept manager salary

Team lead/managers and dept managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Team Lead/ManagerDept Manager
Average salary$88,042$50,222
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $144,000Between $28,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CABay Shore, NY
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyGoogleUPMC
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between team lead/manager and dept manager education

There are a few differences between a team lead/manager and a dept manager in terms of educational background:

Team Lead/ManagerDept Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Team lead/manager vs dept manager demographics

Here are the differences between team lead/managers' and dept managers' demographics:

Team Lead/ManagerDept Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 55.8% Female, 44.2%Male, 52.5% Female, 47.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between team lead/manager and dept manager duties and responsibilities

Team lead/manager example responsibilities.

  • Motivate the team to achieve high standards and KPI targets.
  • Manage all aspects of training support, including instructional design, eLearning development, and the administration of training systems.
  • Design and develop UNIX scripts to manage processing and archiving of daily orders, processing of credit card authorizations and billing.
  • Demonstrate style of leadership that combine discipline with compassion to achieve outstanding results and unmistakable team morale on battlefield.
  • Manage an embed Facebook executive protection team that provide security and logistical support for a corporate executive and his family.
  • Analyze denials by Medicare and Medicaid to determine if an appeal is needed.
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Dept manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage application process and hiring of employees for seasonal photography business.
  • Implement inventory management system to effectively manage on-hands, assist with correct replenishment and maintain an acceptable level of over-stock.
  • Experience with photography including DSLR formats and small to large format film processes.
  • Process merchandise information through store computer system, POS register system and complete all require paperwork.
  • Perform fast and efficient computerize cash register/credit card POS operations, cash accountability, and drive control.
  • Assist in several other departments throughout store, such as electronics, jewelry, automotive, apparel and sporting goods.
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Team lead/manager vs dept manager skills

Common team lead/manager skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 21%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Inventory Management, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Leadership, 4%
Common dept manager skills
  • Customer Service, 33%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • Pallet Jack, 9%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
  • Payroll, 4%