Computer and Information Systems Managers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
- Education Required
- Computer and information systems managers normally must have a bachelors degree in a computer- or information sciencerelated field. These degrees include courses in computer programming, software development, and mathematics. Management information systems (MIS) programs usually include business classes as well as computer-related ones.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 12% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Most computer and information systems managers start out as lower-level managers and advance to higher positions within the IT department. IT directors or project managers can advance to become CTOs. A CTO or other manager who is especially business-minded can advance to become a chief information officer (CIO), the person in charge of all IT-related decisions in an organization. CIOs can advance to become top executives in an organization.
- Median pay: How much do Computer and Information Systems Managers make?
- $135,800 Annual Salary
- $65.29 per hour
Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
What do Computer and Information Systems Managers do?
Computer and information systems managers typically do the following:
- Analyze their organizations computer needs and recommend possible upgrades for top executives to consider
- Plan and direct the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software
- Ensure the security of an organizations network and electronic documents
- Assess the costs and benefits of new projects and justify funding on projects to top executives
- Learn about new technology and look for ways to upgrade their organizations computer systems
- Determine short- and long-term personnel needs for their department
- Plan and direct the work of other IT professionals, including computer systems analysts, software developers, information security analysts, and computer support specialists
- Negotiate with vendors to get the highest level of service for the organizations technology
Few managers carry out all of these duties. There are various types of computer and information systems managers, and the specific duties of each are determined by the size and structure of the firm. Smaller firms may not employ every type of manager.
The following are examples of types of computer and information systems managers:
Careers for Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Application development directors
- CIO
- CTO
- Chief information officers
- Chief information officers (CIOs)
- Chief technology officers
- Chief technology officers (CTOs
- Computer operations managers
- Computer security managers
- Data operations directors
- Data processing managers
- IT directors
- IT security managers
- Information systems directors
- Information systems managers
- Information technology directors
- Information technology systems directors
- Internet technology managers
- MIS directors
- Management information systems directors