Computer and Information Systems Managers

Summary

Computer and information systems managers oversee the work of an IT department.

Quick Facts: Computer and Information Systems Managers
2010 Median Pay	$115,780 per year $55.67 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	More than 5 years
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	307,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20	18% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	55,800

What Computer and Information Systems Managers Do

Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology managers (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 the appropriate computer systems to meet those goals.

Work Environment

Most large companies have computer and information systems managers. The largest concentration of IT managers works for computer systems design and related services firms. Most IT managers work full time.

How to Become a Computer and Information Systems Manager

A bachelor’s degree in computer or information science plus related work experience is typically required. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.

Pay

The median annual wage of computer and information systems managers was $115,780 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment for computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven by organizations upgrading their IT systems and switching to newer, faster, and more mobile networks.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer and information systems managers with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about computer and information systems managers by contacting these additional resources.

What Computer and Information Systems Managers Do About this section

IT directors sometimes present new ideas to a firm’s top executives.

Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology managers (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.

Duties

Computer and information systems managers typically do the following:

• Analyze their organization’s computer needs and recommend possible upgrades to top executives
• Plan and direct installing and upgrading computer hardware and software
• Ensure the security of an organization’s network and electronic documents
• Assess the costs and benefits of a new project to justify spending to top executives
• Learn about new technology and look for ways to upgrade their organization’s 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 technology vendors to get the highest level of service for their organization

Few managers do 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 types of computer and information systems managers:

Chief information officers (CIOs) are responsible for the overall technology strategy of their organizations. They help determine the technology or information goals of an organization and then oversee planning to implement technology to meet those goals.

They may focus on a specific area such as electronic data processing or information systems, but they differ from chief technology officers (CTOs; see next) in that the CIO is more focused on long-term, or “big picture,” issues. CIOs who do not have technical expertise and focus solely on the business aspects of creating an overall company vision are included in a separate profile on top executives. For more information, see the profile on top executives.

Chief technology officers (CTOs) evaluate new technology and how it can help their organization. When both CIOs and CTOs are present, the CTO usually has more technical expertise.

The CTO is responsible for designing and recommending the appropriate technology solutions to support the policies and directives issued by the CIO. CTOs also work with different departments to implement the organization’s technology plans.

The CTO usually reports directly to the CIO and also may be responsible for overseeing the development of new technologies or other research and development activities. When a company does not have a CIO, the CTO determines the overall technology strategy for the firm and presents it to top executives.

IT directors, including management information systems (MIS) directors, are in charge of their organizations’ information technology (IT) departments, and they directly supervise other employees. They help to determine the business requirements for IT systems and they implement the policies that have been chosen by top executives. It is the IT director’s job to ensure the availability of data and network services by coordinating IT activities. IT directors also oversee the financial aspects of their department, such as budgeting.  

IT security managers oversee their organizations’ network and data security. They work with top executives to plan security policies and training for employees. These managers must keep up to date on IT security measures. They also supervise investigations if there is a security violation.

Work Environment About this section

Computer and information systems managers plan and direct the work of other IT professionals.

Computer and information systems managers held about 307,900 jobs in 2010.

The largest percentage of computer and information systems managers works for computer systems design and related services firms. They are employed by both small and large organizations. A smaller, but still considerable, percentage works for financial firms, manufacturing firms, and for federal, state, or local governments.

The following industries employed the most computer and information systems managers in 2010:

As network speeds increase, telecommuting is becoming more common. Although few managers can work remotely, many have to supervise employees who work from home.

Work Schedules

More than 90 percent of computer and information systems managers work full time. Many of them must work overtime to solve problems. In 2010, about 24 percent worked more than 50 hours per week.

How to Become a Computer and Information Systems Manager About this section

Computer and information systems managers usually spend 5-10 years in an IT occupation before being promoted to a manager.

A bachelor’s degree in computer or information science plus related work experience is typically required. Many computer and information systems managers also have a graduate degree.

Education

Computer and information systems managers normally must have a bachelor’s degree in a computer- or information science-related field. This usually takes 4 years to complete and includes courses in computer programming, software development, and mathematics. Management information systems (MIS) programs usually include business classes as well as computer-related ones.

Many organizations require their computer and information systems managers to have a graduate degree as well. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is common and takes 2 years beyond the undergraduate level to complete. Many people pursuing an MBA take classes while working, an option that can increase the time required to complete it.

Work Experience

Most jobs for computer and information systems managers require several years of experience in a related information technology (IT) job. Lower-level management positions may require only a few years of experience. Directors are more likely to need 5 to 10 years of related work experience. A chief technology officer (CTO), who oversees the technology plan for an organization, may need more than 15 years of experience in the IT field before being considered for a job.

The number of years of experience required varies by organization. Generally, smaller companies do not require as much experience as larger, more established ones.

Computer systems are used throughout the economy, and IT employees may gain experience in a variety of industries. However, an applicant’s work experience should be related to the industry the applicant plans to manage. For example, an IT security manager should have previously worked in information security. A hospital IT director should have experience in the healthcare field.

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 chief technology officers (CTOs). A CTO or other manager who is especially business-minded can advance to become a chief information officer (CIO), who is in charge of all IT-related decisions in an organization.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. IT managers must be able to analyze a problem, consider ways to solve the problem, and select the best one.

Communication skills. IT managers must be able to explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates.

Decision-making skills. Some IT managers must make important decisions about how to allocate their organizations’ resources in order to reach their goals.

Leadership skills. IT managers must be able to lead and motivate IT teams or departments so workers are efficient and effective.

Organizational skills. Some IT managers must coordinate the work of several different IT departments to make the organization run efficiently.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of computer and information systems managers was $115,780 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $71,420, and the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400.

As the following table shows, the median annual wage varies by industry:

More than 90 percent of computer and information systems managers work full time. Many of them must work overtime to solve problems. In 2010, about 24 percent worked more than 50 hours per week.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Growth will be driven by organizations upgrading their information technology (IT) systems and switching to newer, faster, and more mobile networks. Consequently, more employees at all management levels will be needed to help in the transition.

Additional growth will likely result from the need to increase security in IT departments. More attention is being directed at cyber threats, a trend that is expected to increase over the next decade.

A number of jobs in this occupation is expected to be created in the healthcare industry, which is far behind in its use of information technology. This industry is expected to greatly increase IT use, resulting in job growth.

An increase in cloud computing may shift some IT services to computer systems design and related services firms, concentrating jobs in that industry.

A number of IT jobs are at risk of being sent to other countries with lower wages, dampening some employment growth. However, this risk may be reduced by a recent trend of firms moving jobs to lower cost regions of the United States instead of to other countries.

Job Prospects

Prospects should be favorable for this occupation. Many companies note that it is difficult to find qualified applicants for positions.

Because innovation is fast paced in IT, opportunities should be best for those who have knowledge of the newest technology.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about computer careers, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society

Computing Research Association

For more information about an education in information technology, visit

National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies

For more information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women and Information Technology