The median pay for Computer and Information Systems Managers is $175,140 a year ($84.20/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 15.8% through 2035, with about 53,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-3021
- Management
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
IT Manager in four numbers
- Median pay
- $175,140a year, or $84.20/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $108KTop 10% $298K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +15.8%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+15.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +15.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 53,500685,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025685.8K
- Projected 2035793.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 685.8K Projected 2035 793.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate5.8%
- Some college26%
- Associate's2.2%
- Bachelor's47.7%
- Post-bacc certificate2.8%
- Master's14.4%
Highest education held by computer and information systems managers Segment Value Certificate 5.8% Some college 26% Associate's 2.2% Bachelor's 47.7% Post-bacc certificate 2.8% Master's 14.4%
Also advertised as: Application Development Director, Computing Services Director, Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director), Information Systems Manager (IS Manager), Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor).
Pay
How much do IT managers make?
Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median of $175,140 a year ($84.20 an hour, or about $14,600 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $107,550 and the top 10% more than $297,510 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $218,290. See IT manager salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Seattle ($231,400 average): salary in every city.
Every it manager in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$175,140
Middle half earn $138,060 to $220,730
- 10th
- $107,550
- 25th
- $138,060
- 75th
- $220,730
- 90th
- $297,510
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $107,550 |
| 25th | $138,060 |
| Median | $175,140 |
| 75th | $220,730 |
| 90th | $297,510 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $175,140
- Median hourly wage
- $84.20/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $192,160
- People employed
- 670,570
Versus all US occupations
At $175,140, Computer and Information Systems Managers earn 244% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $124,160 a year.
Versus management occupations
Inside the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060, this is 39% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $297,510 or more while the bottom 10% earn $107,550, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 96% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($218,290), but once local prices are taken into account Massachusetts leads at $203,258 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay IT managers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $218,290 | $197,155 | 94,720 |
| 2Massachusetts | $214,960 | $203,258 | 24,910 |
| 3New York | $214,300 | $198,571 | 48,050 |
| 4Washington | $209,370 | $195,649 | 16,960 |
| 5New Jersey | $203,460 | $186,995 | 34,470 |
| 6Virginia | $201,490 | $199,290 | 17,550 |
| 7Colorado | $199,420 | $193,514 | 11,510 |
| 8District of Columbia | $195,190 | $177,605 | 5,690 |
| 9New Hampshire | $176,540 | $169,481 | 3,810 |
| 10Minnesota | $176,380 | $178,846 | 10,970 |
Job outlook
Is IT manager a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +15.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | +15.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Computer and Information Systems Managers to change 15.8% over 2025–2035, roughly 4.5× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 108,100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 53,500 openings are projected each year, 7.8% of the 685,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for computer and information systems managers is projected to grow as organizations increasingly rely on information technology (IT) services and require these workers to plan and oversee computer hardware and software needs.
Employment growth is expected to result from the increased complexity and necessity of technology throughout the economy. As businesses across industries ramp up their IT infrastructure, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI), computer and information systems managers will likely be critical to ensuring solid IT implementation.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become an IT manager
Computer and information systems managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology, plus related work experience, to enter the occupation. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have a graduate degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer and information systems managers.
- Bachelor's Degree47.7%
- Some College Courses26%
- Master's Degree14.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5.8%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate2.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 47.7% |
| Some College Courses | 26% |
| Master's Degree | 14.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 2.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an IT manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the IT goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.
Day-to-day tasks
- Stay abreast of advances in technology.
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
- Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
- Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
- Prepare and review operational reports or project progress reports.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most computer and information systems managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where computer and information systems managers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Computer systems design and related services19%
- Finance and insurance13%
- Information13%
- Management of companies and enterprises10%
- Manufacturing6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer systems design and related services | 19% |
| Finance and insurance | 13% |
| Information | 13% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10% |
| Manufacturing | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Writing3.8
- Active Learning3.4
- Learning Strategies3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Systems Analysis3.6
- Systems Evaluation3.6
- Management of Personnel Resources3.6
- Time Management3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.6 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as an IT manager?
Women make up 25.1% of computer and information systems managers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole.
21.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 46.4 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 25.1%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 46.4All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.5%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 646,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of computer and information systems managers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 25.1% | 47.1% |
| White | 72.9% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 4.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 20.0% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.5% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 0.8% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an IT manager?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | IT Manager |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional5.9
- Enterprising5.1
- Investigative4.5
- Realistic2.7
- Social2.4
- Artistic1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to IT Manager
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Business and Financial Operations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Business and Financial Operations
- Computer and Mathematical
More management careers
Median annual pay, with computer and information systems managers highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Facilities Manager$106,660
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Facilities Manager | $106,660 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within it manager
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
IT Manager: frequently asked questions
How much do IT managers make?
Computer and Information Systems Managers earn a median of $175,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 244% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $84.20/hr. The middle half earn between $138,060 and $220,730. The top 10% earn $297,510 or more.
How much do IT managers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for computer and information systems managers is $84.20 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $175,140 annual median works out to about $14,600 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for an IT manager?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of computer and information systems managers earn less than $107,550 a year and the bottom quarter less than $138,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay IT managers the most?
The highest state medians for Computer and Information Systems Managers are California ($218,290), Massachusetts ($214,960), New York ($214,300) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Massachusetts moves to the top at $203,258.
What kind of IT manager earns the most?
BLS does not split computer and information systems managers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $297,510, against a median of $175,140 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($218,290), Massachusetts ($214,960), New York ($214,300). Among the specialty careers inside this occupation, industry sources put typical pay at $1,560,700 for chief AI officers (Equilar 2025 Top 50 Survey, 2025); $392,000 for chief information security officers (IANS Research and Artico Search, 2025 CISO Compensation Benchmark Report, 2025); $357,360 for software engineering managers (Levels.fyi, 2026). Those are not BLS figures.
Do you need a degree to become an IT manager?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Computer and Information Systems Managers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.7% hold bachelor's degree.
How long does it take to become an IT manager?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for IT managers is a bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation. O*NET classes the work as needing considerable preparation.
Is IT manager a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 15.8% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 53,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an IT manager do?
Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. A core O*NET task: stay abreast of advances in technology. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Do IT managers work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 65% of computer and information systems managers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 33% work exactly 40 and 2% work fewer. 77% say their schedule is regular and 23% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits an IT manager?
O*NET scores Computer and Information Systems Managers highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of IT managers are women?
Women make up 25.1% of computer and information systems managers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole. 21.5% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 46.4 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.