Though we live in a digital world, where companies are dependent on technology to manage their work, skilled technical program managers (TPMs) are still very much in demand. And as their demand increases, so does the salary of a technical program manager.
TPMs are responsible for directing different technical programs that are required for the success of a company in the modern economy. Based on the company and your experience, your salary as a technical program manager will be determined.
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In this article, we’ll be covering:
- What Does a Technical Program Manager Do?
- Technical Program Manager: Responsibilities and Skills Required
- Technical Program Manager Salary at Different Levels
- Technical Program Manager Salary Based on Location
- Average Technical Program Manager Salary at FAANG
What Does a Technical Program Manager Do?
Companies today, irrespective of the industry, are using technology to evolve their process and business. Program managers are hired to work with engineers to build the technology and product architecture for the company.
Mid to senior-level positions, technical program managers are responsible for supporting organizations with their product goals. They work across the organization, with the leadership, and their team to manage the development as well as the launch of products.
Technical program managers supervise one or more projects for their company. They are responsible for ensuring that all aspects of a project, from the defining requirements to the evaluation of the final product, are carried out smoothly.
Technical Program Manager: Responsibilities and Skills Required
Typically, a technical program manager has the following responsibilities:
- Defining requirements: They work with business stakeholders to gauge the program requirements. This includes technology for internal systems and programs that the customer can purchase. They also list the resources they’ll need, how long it’ll take, and how many people will be required for the development and testing.
- Defining project scopes: They design timelines and determine the scope of the different projects they’re working on, including resourcing.
- Managing schedules: As they’re responsible for overseeing multiple projects, they’re also in charge of managing the schedule. They make sure that everything is going on track.
- Testing and reviewing solutions: They have to test and review potential solutions for their program. This can include both user testing as well as code testing.
- Generating reports: As managers, they’re required to create different reports for different stakeholders in the company. These reports help them make decisions for the future and monitor the quality of the work.
The important skills that all aspiring technical program managers must possess:
- Technical skills
- Project management skills
- Communication skills
- Risk management
- Leadership skills
- Business knowledge
In order to become a successful technical program manager, you’ll be expected to have a few different degrees. Many roles need a bachelor’s in business administration, business management, or computer science. In some cases, a master’s degree may also be required.
Technical Program Manager Salary at Different Levels
As is the norm, a technical program manager's salary depends on a number of factors such as experience, educational background, location, and so on. A technical program manager's average base salary is $124,446.
To help you understand how the salary differs at different levels, here are the numbers:
Source: Comparably.com
Technical Program Manager Salary Based on Location
Salaries vary according to cities as well. A senior technical manager's salary in Seattle might differ from what they could get in NYC. Following are the highest paying cities for technical program managers in the US:
Source: Indeed.com
As is made clear from the table given above, California and Washington are great states for technical program managers, salary-wise.
Average Technical Program Manager Salary at FAANG
The technical program manager salary range at FAANG companies differs from company to company. Here’s the average annual base salary at each of the FAANG companies:
Source: Indeed.com
As you can see, the average technical program manager salary at Netflix is way more than all the other companies. So as you start your prep, you know which company to aim for to get the best compensation.
If you want some help prepping for technical program manager interviews at FAANG, read:
- Google Technical Program Manager Interview Questions
- Cracking Amazon Technical Program Manager Interview Questions
- Facebook Technical Program Manager Interview Prep
FAQs on Technical Program Manager Salary
Some commonly asked questions on technical program manager salary:
Q1. What is the average salary of a technical program manager?
On average, a technical program manager's salary in the US is $124,446.
Q2. What does a technical program manager do?
Business professionals in charge of supervising one or more projects for a company are called technical program managers (TPMs). They’re responsible for all aspects of the project (from conceptualization to the final launch).
Q3. What is the salary of a technical program manager at Google?
On average, a technical program manager at Google makes $140,712 per year.
Q4. What degree is required to become a technical program manager?
As the role is pretty multi-faceted, you might be required to have a few degrees. Many companies require a bachelor’s in business administration, business management, or computer science. In some cases, a master’s degree may also be required.
Q5. Do technical program managers need to know how to code?
A technical program manager doesn’t really need to know how to code. However, having the relevant knowledge might come in handy when they’re supervising the creation of software products.
Ready to Become a Technical Program Manager at FAANG?
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