Computer and Information Systems Managers

1. OVERVIEW

Computer and Information Systems (CIS) Managers—also known as IT Managers, CIOs, or IT Directors—plan, coordinate, and direct technology-related activities in organizations. They ensure systems align with business goals while managing IT teams, security, and software/hardware systems.

• 2024 Median Pay: $171,200/year ($82.31/hour)

• Job Growth (2023–2033): +17% (Much faster than average)

• Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or MIS; MBA or Master’s preferred for senior roles

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

• Job Titles: IT Supervisor, Junior IT Manager, Systems Coordinator, Technical Project Coordinator

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Management Information Systems (MIS)

• Experience: 3–5 years in roles like software developer, network administrator, or IT analyst

• Certifications (Recommended):

• CompTIA Network+ or Security+

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

• Core Duties:

• Coordinate help desk or IT support staff

• Assist with infrastructure upgrades

• Document processes and tech procedures

• Monitor basic system performance and uptime

• Salary Range: $90,000–$125,000

MID LEVEL

• Job Titles: IT Manager, Information Systems Manager, Network Operations Manager, IT Project Manager

• Education: Bachelor’s in CS/IT; Master’s or MBA preferred

• Experience: 5–10 years in IT with leadership responsibilities

• Certifications (Preferred):

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

• Core Duties:

• Manage software implementations and cybersecurity protocols

• Supervise IT teams and budgets

• Align IT strategy with business goals

• Ensure compliance with IT policies and data security standards

• Salary Range: $125,000–$170,000

SENIOR LEVEL

• Job Titles: Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Director of IT

• Education: Bachelor’s + Master’s in IT, CS, or MBA strongly preferred

• Experience: 10+ years in IT leadership, strategy, and enterprise-level projects

• Certifications (Preferred):

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

• ITIL Expert Level

• Core Duties:

• Define long-term tech vision and digital transformation strategy

• Lead cross-departmental initiatives and vendor negotiations

• Oversee enterprise systems, cloud migrations, cybersecurity posture

• Report directly to board/CEO on IT goals and performance

• Salary Range: $170,000–$250,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

• Education:

• Entry: Bachelor's in Computer Science, IT, MIS, or Engineering

• Advancement: MBA or Master’s in Information Systems recommended

• Experience:

• 5–10 years in IT roles required before advancing to management

• Certifications:

• Entry: CompTIA, Azure Fundamentals

• Mid: PMP, CISSP, AWS Solutions Architect

• Senior: CISA, CCISO, ITIL Expert

• Career Pathway:
  Help Desk Tech → Systems Analyst → IT Project Manager → IT Director → CIO/CTO

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills

• Strategic Planning

• Budgeting and Cost Analysis

• Cybersecurity Fundamentals

• IT Governance and Compliance

• Team Leadership and Vendor Management

Tools & Systems

• Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud

• Oracle, SAP, and SQL databases

• Jira, ServiceNow, Asana

• Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPN tools

• Virtualization: VMware, Hyper-V

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Industries: Tech, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, government

• Settings: Office-based, hybrid, remote (especially at senior level)

• Schedules: Full-time; often 50–60+ hours/week

• Challenges:

• Managing tech infrastructure upgrades

• Data privacy and regulatory compliance

• Rapid changes in cloud and AI tech

• Risks:

• Security breaches, costly downtime, staff burnout

6. JOB OUTLOOK

• Annual Openings: ~54,700

• Growth Factors:

• Increasing demand for cybersecurity and cloud solutions

• Rise in digital transformation initiatives

• Remote and hybrid workforce needs

• Career Paths:
  IT Manager → Director of Information Systems → CIO/CTO

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

• Role: Software Developers | Salary: $131,450 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

• Role: Computer Network Architects | Salary: $130,390 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

• Role: Information Security Analysts | Salary: $124,910 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

• Role: Project Management Specialists | Salary: $100,750 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

• Role: Top Executives | Salary: $105,350 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

• Role: Database Administrators & Architects | Salary: $123,100 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Courses & Certifications

• Google IT Support (Coursera)

• Harvard’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk

• MIT Sloan CIO Executive Certificate

• CompTIA, PMP, CISSP, AWS Academy

Books

• The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim

• IT Strategy for Non-IT Managers by Amrit Tiwana

• Leading Digital by George Westerman

• CIO Paradox by Martha Heller

Videos & Communities

• YouTube: TechWorld with Nana, Simplilearn, GRC Academy

• Podcasts: CIO Classified, Smashing Security, The Cloudcast

• Communities: r/sysadmin, Spiceworks, CIO Network on LinkedIn

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

• Top-Paying Industries:

• Information: $196,060

• Finance & Insurance: $176,570

• Manufacturing: $174,790

• Hot Markets: California, New York, Texas, Virginia, Illinois

• Trends:

• Surge in cloud migration and hybrid infrastructures

• Greater need for AI/ML integration oversight

• Emphasis on data protection and digital trust

• Remote Work Trend: Growing for mid-senior roles; common in tech and finance