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Career overview · SOC 11-3021

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Also called: Application Development Director · Computing Services Director · Data Processing Manager · Information Systems Director (IS Director) · Information Systems Manager (IS Manager) · Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor)

Median pay (national)
$171,200
$104,450–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
645,970
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+15.2%
~55,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for computer and information systems managers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $104,450 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $171,200 leaves roughly 40% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +15.2% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 55,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $211,340, +23% vs the national median), while Virgin Islands sits lowest at $88,300 — a 139% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Amazon Web Services AWS software, Enterprise application integration EAI software, Microsoft Azure software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stay abreast of advances in technology.
  • Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.
  • Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  • Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.

Tools & technology

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Enterprise application integration EAI software
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Apache Cassandra
  • Apache Hadoop
  • Apache Maven
  • Apache Tomcat
  • Apple macOS
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Eclipse IDE
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Google Analytics
  • Hypertext markup language HTML

Knowledge areas

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management
  • Engineering and Technology
  • English Language
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Mathematics
  • Education and Training