16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Summary

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

Quick Fact s: Comput er and Informat ion Sy st ems Managers 2010 Median Pay Ent ry -Level Educat ion Work Experience in a Relat ed Occupat ion On-t he-job Training Number of Jobs, 2010 Job Out look, 2010-20 Employ ment Change, 2010-20 $1 1 5,7 80 per y ear $55.6 7 per hour Bachelors degree More than 5 y ears None 3 07 ,9 00 1 8% (About as fast as av erage) 55,800

What Com puter and Inform ation Sy stem s Managers Do Computer and information sy stems managers, often called information technology managers (IT managers or IT project managers), plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activ ities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing the appropriate computer sy stems to meet those goals. Work Env ironm ent Most large companies hav e computer and information sy stems managers. The largest concentration of IT managers works for computer sy stems design and related serv ices firms. Most IT managers work full time. How to Becom e a Com puter and Inform ation Sy stem s Manager A bachelors degree in computer or information science plus related work ex perience is ty pically required. Many computer and information sy stems managers also hav e a graduate degree. Pay The median annual wage of computer and information sy stems managers was $1 1 5,7 80 in May 201 0.
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 1/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Job Outlook Employ ment for computer and information sy stems managers is projected to grow 1 8 percent from 201 0 to 2020, about as fast as the av erage for all occupations. Growth will be driv en by organizations upgrading their IT sy stems and switching to newer, faster, and more mobile networks. Sim ilar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer and information sy stems managers with similar occupations. O*NET O*NET prov ides comprehensiv e information on key characteristics of workers and occupations. Contacts for More Inform ation Learn more about computer and information sy stems managers by contacting these additional resources.

What Computer and Information Systems Managers Do

IT directors sometimes present new ideas to a firms top executives. Computer and information sy stems managers, often called information technology managers (IT managers or IT project managers), plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activ ities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer sy stems to meet those goals.

Duties
Computer and information sy stems managers ty pically do the following: Analy ze their organizations computer needs and recommend possible upgrades to top ex ecutiv es Plan and direct installing and upgrading computer hardware and software Ensure the security of an organizations network and electronic documents Assess the costs and benefits of a new project to justify spending to top ex ecutiv es Learn about new technology and look for way s to upgrade their organizations computer sy stems Determine short- and long-term personnel needs for their department Plan and direct the work of other IT professionals, including computer sy stems analy sts, software dev elopers, information security analy sts, and computer support specialists Negotiate with technology v endors to get the highest lev el of serv ice for their organization
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 2/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Few managers do all of these duties. There are v arious ty pes of computer and information sy stems managers, and the specific duties of each are determined by the size and structure of the firm. Smaller firms may not employ ev ery ty pe of manager. The following are ty pes of computer and information sy stems managers: Chief inform ation officers (CIOs) are responsible for the ov erall technology strategy of their organizations. They help determine the technology or information goals of an organization and then ov ersee planning to implement technology to meet those goals. They may focus on a specific area such as electronic data processing or information sy stems, but they differ from chief technology officers (CTOs; see nex t) in that the CIO is more focused on long-term, or big picture, issues. CIOs who do not hav e technical ex pertise and focus solely on the business aspects of creating an ov erall company v ision are included in a separate profile on top ex ecutiv es. For more information, see the profile on top ex ecutiv es. Chief technology officers (CTOs) ev aluate new technology and how it can help their organization. When both CIOs and CTOs are present, the CTO usually has more technical ex pertise. The CTO is responsible for designing and recommending the appropriate technology solutions to support the policies and directiv es issued by the CIO. CTOs also work with different departments to implement the organizations technology plans. The CTO usually reports directly to the CIO and also may be responsible for ov erseeing the dev elopment of new technologies or other research and dev elopment activ ities. When a company does not hav e a CIO, the CTO determines the ov erall technology strategy for the firm and presents it to top ex ecutiv es. IT directors, including management information sy stems (MIS) directors, are in charge of their organizations information technology (IT) departments, and they directly superv ise other employ ees. They help to determine the business requirements for IT sy stems and they implement the policies that hav e been chosen by top ex ecutiv es. It is the IT directors job to ensure the av ailability of data and network serv ices by coordinating IT activ ities. IT directors also ov ersee the financial aspects of their department, such as budgeting. IT security m anagers ov ersee their organizations network and data security . They work with top ex ecutiv es to plan security policies and training for employ ees. These managers must keep up to date on IT security measures. They also superv ise inv estigations if there is a security v iolation.

Work Environment
Computer and information sy stems managers held about 307 ,900 jobs in 201 0. The largest percentage of computer and information sy stems managers works for computer sy stems design and related serv ices firms. They are employ ed by both small and large organizations. A smaller, but still considerable, percentage works for financial firms, manufacturing firms, and for federal, state, or local gov ernments. The following industries employ ed the most computer and information sy stems managers in 201 0:

Computer systems design and related services Finance and insurance Manufacturing Management of companies and enterprises Government

17% 14 9 8 7

As network speeds increase, telecommuting is becoming more common. Although few managers can work remotely , many hav e to superv ise employ ees who work from home.

Work Schedules
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 3/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

More than 90 percent of computer and information sy stems managers work full time. Many of them must work ov ertime to solv e problems. In 201 0, about 24 percent worked more than 50 hours per week.

How to Become a Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and information systems managers usually spend 5-10 years in an IT occupation before being promoted to a manager. A bachelors degree in computer or information science plus related work ex perience is ty pically required. Many computer and information sy stems managers also hav e a graduate degree.

Education
Computer and information sy stems managers normally must hav e a bachelors degree in a computer- or information science-related field. This usually takes 4 y ears to complete and includes courses in computer programming, software dev elopment, and mathematics. Management information sy stems (MIS) programs usually include business classes as well as computer-related ones. Many organizations require their computer and information sy stems managers to hav e a graduate degree as well. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is common and takes 2 y ears bey ond the undergraduate lev el 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 sy stems managers require sev eral y ears of ex perience in a related information technology (IT) job. Lower-lev el management positions may require only a few y ears of ex perience. Directors are more likely to need 5 to 1 0 y ears of related work ex perience. A chief technology officer (CTO), who ov ersees the technology plan for an organization, may need more than 1 5 y ears of ex perience in the IT field before being considered for a job. The number of y ears of ex perience required v aries by organization. Generally , smaller companies do not require as much ex perience as larger, more established ones. Computer sy stems are used throughout the economy , and IT employ ees may gain ex perience in a v ariety of industries. Howev er, an applicants work ex perience should be related to the industry the applicant plans to
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 4/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

manage. For ex ample, an IT security manager should hav e prev iously worked in information security . A hospital IT director should hav e ex perience in the healthcare field.

Advancement
Most computer and information sy stems managers start out as lower lev el managers and adv ance to higher positions within the IT department. IT directors or project managers can adv ance to become chief technology officers (CTOs). A CTO or other manager who is especially business-minded can adv ance 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 analy ze a problem, consider way s to solv e the problem, and select the best one. Com m unication skills. IT managers must be able to ex plain their work to top ex ecutiv es and giv e clear instructions to their subordinates. Decision-m aking 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 motiv ate IT teams or departments so workers are efficient and effectiv e. Organizational skills. Some IT managers must coordinate the work of sev eral different IT departments to make the organization run efficiently .

Pay Computer and Information Systems Managers

Median annual wages, May 2010

Com puter and Inform ation System s Managers

$115,780

Managem ent Occupations

$91,440

Total, All Occupations

$33,840

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

The median annual wage of computer and information sy stems managers was $1 1 5,7 80 in May 201 0. 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 1 0 percent earned less than $7 1 ,420, and the top 1 0 percent earned more than $1 66,400. As the following table shows, the median annual wage v aries by industry :

Computer systems design and related services $123,570

www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 5/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Finance and insurance Manufacturing Government Health care and social assistance

118,010 117,050 110,030 101,840

More than 90 percent of computer and information sy stems managers work full time. Many of them must work ov ertime to solv e problems. In 201 0, about 24 percent worked more than 50 hours per week.

Job Outlook Computer and Information Systems Managers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Com puter and Inform ation System s Managers

18%

Total, All Occupations

14%

Managem ent Occupations

7%

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employ ment of computer and information sy stems managers is projected grow 1 8 percent from 201 0 to 2020, about as fast as the av erage for all occupations. Growth will be driv en by organizations upgrading their information technology (IT) sy stems and switching to newer, faster, and more mobile networks. Consequently , more employ ees at all management lev els 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 cy ber threats, a trend that is ex pected to increase ov er the nex t decade. A number of jobs in this occupation is ex pected to be created in the healthcare industry , which is far behind in its use of information technology . This industry is ex pected to greatly increase IT use, resulting in job growth. An increase in cloud computing may shift some IT serv ices to computer sy stems design and related serv ices 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 employ ment growth. Howev er, this risk may be reduced by a recent trend of firms mov ing jobs to lower cost regions of the United States instead of to other countries.

Job Prospects
Prospects should be fav orable for this occupation. Many companies note that it is difficult to find qualified applicants for positions.
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 6/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Because innov ation is fast paced in IT, opportunities should be best for those who hav e knowledge of the newest technology . Employment projections data for computer and information systems managers, 2010-20
SOC Code 113021 Employment, 2010 307,900 Projected Employment, 2020 363,700 Employment Percent Numeric by Industry 18 55,800 [XLS] Change, 201020

Occupational Title Computer and Information Systems Managers

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer and information sy stems managers.
OCCUPATION JOB DUTIES Com pu t er h a r dw a r e en g in eer s r esea r ch , desig n , dev elop, a n d t est com pu t er equ ipm en t su ch a s ch ips, cir cu it boa r ds, or r ou t er s. By solv in g com plex pr oblem s in com pu t er h a r dw a r e, t h ese en g in eer s cr ea t e r a pid a dv a n ces in com pu t er t ech n olog y . ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION MEDIAN ANNUAL PAY, MAY 2010

Com pu t er Ha r dwa r e En gi n eer s

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$9 8 ,8 1 0

Com pu t er Pr ogr a m m er s

Com pu t er pr og r a m m er s w r it e code t o cr ea t e soft w a r e pr og r a m s. T h ey t u r n t h e pr og r a m desig n s cr ea t ed by soft w a r e dev eloper s a n d en g in eer s in t o in st r u ct ion s t h a t a com pu t er ca n follow .

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$7 1 ,3 8 0

Com pu t er sy st em s a n a ly st s st u dy a n or g a n iza t ion 's cu r r en t com pu t er sy st em s a n d pr ocedu r es a n d

www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 7/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Com pu t er Sy st em s A n a l y st s

m a ke r ecom m en da t ion s t o m a n a g em en t t o h elp t h e or g a n iza t ion oper a t e m or e efficien t ly a n d effect iv ely . T h ey br in g bu sin ess a n d in for m a t ion t ech n olog y (IT ) t og et h er by u n der st a n din g t h e n eeds a n d lim it a t ion s of bot h .

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$7 7 ,7 4 0

Da t a ba se A dm i n i st r a t or s

Da t a ba se a dm in ist r a t or s u se soft w a r e t o st or e a n d or g a n ize da t a , su ch a s fin a n cia l in for m a t ion a n d cu st om er sh ippin g r ecor ds. T h ey m a k e su r e t h a t da t a a r e a v a ila ble t o u ser s a n d a r e secu r e fr om u n a u t h or ized a ccess.

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$7 3 ,4 9 0

In for m a t i on Secu r i t y A n a l y st s, Web Dev el oper s, a n d Com pu t er Net wor k A r ch i t ect s

In for m a t ion secu r it y a n a ly st s, w eb dev eloper s, a n d com pu t er n et w or k a r ch it ect s a ll u se in for m a t ion t ech n olog y (IT ) t o a dv a n ce t h eir or g a n iza t ion s g oa ls. Secu r it y a n a ly st s en su r e a fir m s in for m a t ion st a y s sa fe fr om cy ber a t t a ck s. W eb dev eloper s cr ea t e w ebsit es t o h elp fir m s h a v e a pu blic fa ce. Com pu t er n et w or k a r ch it ect s cr ea t e t h e in t er n a l n et w or k s a ll w or k er s w it h in or g a n iza t ion s u se.

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$7 5 ,6 6 0

Net w or k a n d com pu t er sy st em s a dm in ist r a t or s

www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 8/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Net wor k a n d Com pu t er Sy st em s A dm i n i st r a t or s

a r e r espon sible for t h e da y -t o-da y oper a t ion of a n or g a n iza t ion s com pu t er n et w or k s. T h ey or g a n ize, in st a ll, a n d su ppor t a n or g a n iza t ion s com pu t er sy st em s, in clu din g loca l a r ea n et w or k s (LA Ns), w ide a r ea n et w or k s (W A Ns), n et w or k seg m en t s, in t r a n et s, a n d ot h er da t a com m u n ica t ion sy st em s. Soft w a r e dev eloper s a r e t h e cr ea t iv e m in ds beh in d com pu t er pr og r a m s. Som e dev elop t h e a pplica t ion s t h a t a llow people t o do specific t a sk s on a com pu t er or ot h er dev ice. Ot h er s dev elop t h e u n der ly in g sy st em s t h a t r u n t h e dev ices or con t r ol n et w or k s.

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$6 9 ,1 6 0

Soft wa r e Dev el oper s

Ba ch elor s deg r ee

$9 0 ,5 3 0

T op Execu t i v es

T op ex ecu t iv es dev ise st r a t eg ies a n d policies t o en su r e t h a t a n or g a n iza t ion m eet s it s g oa ls. T h ey pla n , dir ect , a n d coor din a t e oper a t ion a l a ct iv it ies of com pa n ies a n d pu blic or pr iv a t esect or or g a n iza t ion s.

See How t o Becom e On e

$1 0 1 ,2 5 0

Contacts for More Information

For more information about computer careers, v isit Association for Computing Machinery Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society Computing Research Association
www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm 9/10

16/05/12

Computer and Information Systems Managers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor

For more information about an education in information technology , v isit National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies For more information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, v isit National Center for Women and Information Technology
Suggested citation:

Bu r ea u of La bor St a t ist ics, U.S. Depa r t m en t of La bor , Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2012-13 Edition, Com pu t er a n d In for m a t ion Sy st em s Ma n a g er s, on t h e In t er n et a t h t t p://w w w .bls.g ov /ooh /m a n a g em en t /com pu t er -a n d-in for m a t ion -sy st em s-m a n a g er s.h t m (v isit ed May 16, 2012).

Publish Date: Thursday , April 26, 201 2

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, PSB Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 www.bls.gov/ooh | Telephone: 1-202-691-5700 | Contact OOH

www.bls.gov/ooh/management/print/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm

10/10