Computer and Information Systems Managers
SOC code 11-3021 · O*NET-SOC 11-3021.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
IT managers direct an organisation's technology: the systems roadmap, the team, the budget and the vendor decisions. Nearly all are promoted from developer, administrator or analyst roles, and the occupation consistently sits among the highest paid in the country.
Computer and Information Systems Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$175,140
a year
Hourly
$84.20
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$192,160
$92.39 per hour
Middle 50%
$138,060 – $220,730
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$107,550 – $297,510
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
670,570
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $107,550
- $51.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $138,060
- $66.38/hr
- Median percentile
- $175,140
- $84.20/hr
- 75th percentile
- $220,730
- $106.12/hr
- 90th percentile
- $297,510
- $143.03/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+15%
Growing much faster than average
667,100
jobs in 2024
768,700
projected for 2034
About 101,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do computer and information systems managers do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Manage backup, security and user help systems.
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
- Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
- Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
- Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
- Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree48%
- Some College Courses26%
- Master's Degree14%
- Post-Secondary Certificate6%
Common questions
How much does a computer and information systems managers earn?
The national median is $175,140 a year. The full range runs from $107,550 at the 10th percentile to $297,510 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a computer and information systems managers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is computer and information systems managers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 15% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Engineering and Technology3.5/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.