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The differences between value stream managers and continuous improvement managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a value stream manager, becoming a continuous improvement manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a value stream manager has an average salary of $107,526, which is higher than the $99,644 average annual salary of a continuous improvement manager.
The top three skills for a value stream manager include value stream, lean manufacturing and sigma. The most important skills for a continuous improvement manager are lean six sigma, sigma, and continuous improvement.
| Value Stream Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $107,526 | $99,644 |
| Hourly rate | $51.70 | $47.91 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 9,958 | 154,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A value stream manager is responsible for monitoring supply chain management operations and enhancing logistics performance to prevent operational delays and minimize waste loss. Value stream managers determine the strengths and weaknesses of every process within the supply chain and identify opportunities that would increase efficiency and growth, delivering high-quality outputs, and generating more resources for revenues. They also assist the whole production team in providing the highest customer service by responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns and resolving their complaints about products accurately and efficiently.
A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.
Value stream managers and continuous improvement managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Value Stream Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Average salary | $107,526 | $99,644 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $148,000 | Between $74,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | Ridgefield, CT | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Boehringer Ingelheim | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a value stream manager and a continuous improvement manager in terms of educational background:
| Value Stream Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between value stream managers' and continuous improvement managers' demographics:
| Value Stream Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |