The Difference Between Program Manager and Project Manager

At first glance, the job of a program manager and project manager might seem pretty similar. Their responsibilities are often intertwined, and each plays a crucial role in a company’s operational success. Both career paths can also lead to plenty of job prospects and earning potential. However, there are important distinctions between the two, and one might be a better match for your background and interests. 

One key differentiator between project managers and program managers is that project managers have their eye on the day-to-day details of a project, while program managers focus on the big picture and how to deliver on a company’s vision and goals. 

This guide will dive deeper into the differences between these two professions, their salaries, responsibilities, skill requirements, and career paths.

The goal of a project manager is to guide a project from start to finish by setting the scope, schedule, and resources allocated to the specific project. Their other responsibilities include:

• Identifying and managing the scope of a project
• Assigning a team's tasks
• Participating in client meetings  
• Communicating with outside stakeholders
• Tracking a project's budget and schedule
• Leading junior members on the team
• Building new workflows 
• Troubleshooting issues as they come up 
• Developing solutions to meet client requests

While a project manager works on the moving parts of a project, a program manager deals with the strategy of a project to ensure it aligns with company goals and initiatives. The typical day-to-day of a program manager includes:

• Overseeing the performance of programs
• Creating and managing budgets
• Cross-project resource management
• Identifying and addressing problems and risks
• Developing new programs to promote strategy
• Stakeholder communications, negotiations, and problem solving
• Aligning or realigning deliverables with program outcomes

The success of both a program and a project demands capable management and collaboration. 

A business management or related degree is generally the place to start on the path to becoming a project manager. This will give you an educational foundation to build on and skills that directly relate to a project management position.

Once you’ve become an established project manager, you may want to seek out higher-level positions along your career path, such as a senior or executive project manager or even a program manager.

A master's degree, such as an MBA, can prepare you for these more advanced roles because it will help you understand the ins and outs of management processes, budgets, strategy, and more.  

In many cases, program managers start their careers as project managers. This is a great way to build foundational skills that you can apply to a career in program management. In addition to experience, program managers also need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, or another related field such as marketing. 

You may also need an advanced degree such as a master’s in management and leadership or a master’s in business administration (MBA). Having an MBA or other high-level management degree can make you a more desirable candidate.

If you’ve already earned your degree or you’re currently working as a program manager, you should consider earning program management certifications, joining a related professional organization, and regularly attending industry seminars, conferences, or events. This continued education can help you stay up to date on new methods and best practices so that you continue to grow in your role. 

Generally speaking, the ability to manage projects is a skill that can transfer to a number of jobs in a number of industries. In fact, project management ranked as the most sought-after skill in 2021, according to a report by Business Talent Group.   

There are some skills that project and program managers both need, such as the ability to communicate effectively, to operate in a highly organized manner, and to collaborate successfully with other team members and departments. However, given their different roles and responsibilities, there are key differences in the skill sets required for project managers versus program managers. 

Since program managers work with a variety of stakeholders, they need to be strong leaders and strategists. They should also have excellent problem-solving and negotiation skills, as well as experience planning budgets and building teams.   

Project managers, on the other hand, need to be detail-oriented planners who can keep a project moving forward. They should have experience working with project management software and planning tools, as well as knowledge of different project management methodologies.

The median salary for project managers is around $94,500 per year, with experienced PMs in certain industries earning more than $150,000 per year, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Program managers make a little more, with a median annual salary of around $140,000. The top 10% make more than $180,000, and the bottom 10% of earners bring in around $103,000, according to salary.com. 

Strong! In fact, there’s a shortage of qualified project and program managers, and the talent and opportunity gap is only expected to widen. 

Project management jobs are expected to grow by 33% by 2027, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI), while the BLS predicts that management occupations will rise by 9% from 2020 to 2030.  

You don’t necessarily need a degree in project management to become a project manager, but the combination of an undergraduate degree and a project management certification is the best way to get noticed by employers. According to the PMI, about 43% of project managers hold a bachelor’s degree, and 46% hold a master’s degree. Earning a master's degree can help you thrive in your field, make more money, and move up to higher roles. 

Yes. To become a program manager, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. Many program managers have a business management degree, plus an MBA or related master’s degree. 

Like most management roles, you’ll need a good amount of hands-on experience, along with an education. If you go the traditional degree route, it could take four years to complete your program, plus an additional three to five years to gain experience. 

If you choose to earn your degree at WGU, your program is entirely online, which means you can move through the coursework at your own pace while maintaining your current work and family obligations and save money while doing it. In fact, most WGU students finish their degrees in less than four years. 

You can’t go wrong with either. Both offer a future primed for growth, opportunity, and a strong earning potential. If you’re having trouble deciding, think about what you want your day-to-day role to look like. For instance, if you see yourself leading teams and making strategic decisions for the greater good of an organization, then a program manager role might be a good match. On the other hand, if you’re more detail-oriented and like the idea of working on individual projects versus big picture ones, a project manager could be the better fit.

Whichever career you choose to pursue, an online degree program from WGU is a great way to get started. Learn more today!