How Much Does a Computer Information Systems Manager Make?

The tech job market is growing, and there are no signs of slowing down. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech jobs are expected to grow 13% between 2020 and 2030, and over 667,000 new jobs will be created in tech in the next few years. And since Computer Information System Manager roles touch on so many parts of the tech world, there will likely be plenty of opportunities within this field as the industry continues to expand.

A Computer Information Systems Manager is an IT professional who oversees, coordinates, and manages an organization’s computer systems. They understand what type of technology a company needs and implement systems to meet these needs. As is the case for most jobs, your salary in this role will depend on several factors, like your location, the company you work for, and the amount of experience you have.

How much do Computer Information Systems Managers make on average?

According to Indeed, Computer Information Systems Managers in the United States make an average salary of $92,291 a year. But since that number is an average, it’s only a rough idea of what your individual salary might be. Let’s take a look at some factors that will give you a better idea of the range you can expect to make as a Computer Information Systems Manager.

What factors affect the salary of a Computer Information Systems Manager?

Location

Where you live can have a big impact on your salary, even if you’re working remotely. Generally, the cost of living is higher in bigger cities and on the west and east coasts, where managers tend to get paid the most. Sometimes, salaries are higher because there is a significant demand for managers locally. Here are some cities where the pay for Computer Information Systems Managers is currently the highest, according to Indeed:

Washington, D.C.: $106,907
San Diego, CA: $98,922
Alexandria, VA: $98,311
Philadelphia, PA: $97,454
Atlanta, GA: $97,076
Tampa, FL: $91,691
Fort Worth, TX: $90,864
Huntsville, AL: $86,794
San Antonia, TX: $89,749

Experience

Experience is always a factor in your salary, perhaps especially in tech jobs where employers will consider how many years you’ve been working with a specific technology or program. For a job as a Computer Information Systems Manager, the amount of broad experience you have in different facets of computer systems matters as well. After all, depending on the role, a Systems Manager could oversee the work of many technical divisions of a company, only a handful of those divisions, or just one division.

Experience in managing others is definitely crucial, since this is a leadership role. Many Computer Information Systems Managers get the role through a promotion from another management role, like Lead Developer, IT Project Manager, or IT team lead.

As a Computer Information Systems Manager, knowing both how to write software and manage networks — tasks usually handled by separate roles — means that you have the in-depth knowledge to manage people working in separate divisions of a company, thereby maximizing your salary potential.

Job description

The job description can also affect salary, as can the job title. There are many job titles that fit under the umbrella of Computer Information Systems Manager, including:

Computer and Information Systems Manager
Information Systems Manager
Systems Manager
IT Manager
IS Director
IT Security Manager

These jobs are similar. The only difference is the title and the scope of responsibilities. CTOs are also essentially Computer Information Systems Managers — they do the same type of work as the others, just at a higher level where they monitor the newest innovative technologies and create a vision for the entire company’s systems.

In that sense, CTOs occupy the higher range in terms of experience and pay (according to Salary.com, they make an average of $258,676 per year in the U.S.), while a more early or mid-career position like an Information Systems Manager will naturally have a lower salary (an average of $115,477 per year).

Company

Your salary may also depend on the company you work for. For example, some established companies may pay more for developers who they want to retain. Here are some companies currently offering above-average salaries for Computer Information Systems Managers, according to Indeed:

EY: $298,064
Accenture: $225,776
Citi: $214,289
Apple: $205,029
Intuitive: $184,688

Becoming a Computer Information Systems Manager

The duties and responsibilities of a Computer Information Systems Manager can vary widely depending on the job title and the size of the company. Some companies may have more than one systems management role, with each manager overseeing a unique part of the company’s technologies. Smaller companies may have only one role.

As we mentioned earlier, a CTO is a Computer Information Systems Manager who has reached the highest level. CTOs direct the technological vision of an entire company. They have to have knowledge of every part of IT, including network management, IT support, software development, cybersecurity, database development, and more.

In a very small company or startup, a CTO may interact with IT support staff, software engineers, and network admins and oversee the work they do directly. As a company gets larger, each IT division will have its own Computer Information Systems Manager who will report to the CTO.

The manager who oversees software engineers may have a title like Software Development Manager or Engineering Manager and have in-depth programming knowledge. The manager who oversees network admins and cybersecurity professions may simply be called the IT Manager and have in-depth knowledge of networking.

But whatever the title or responsibilities, the job consists of two parts — managing people and knowing technology. So to get this job, you need some experience in business administration and some hands-on experience with the tools of the trade.

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Learning a selection of the technologies above will give any future Computer Information Systems Manager a step up on the competition in the job market. And you can get started for free by signing up here.