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Computer and Information Systems Managers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $175,140 Median per year · $84.20/hr Most earn $107,550–$297,510

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
  • Prepare and review operational reports or project progress reports.
  • Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
  • Manage backup, security and user help systems.
  • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
  • Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
16% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 53,500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Computer systems design and related services18.9%
  • Management of companies and enterprises9.9%
  • Software publishers5.1%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.8%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services3.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Some remote workExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Computer and Information Systems Manager is not an entry-level job. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then spend roughly 6 to 8 years in hands-on IT work before moving into management.

  1. Bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems

    4 years

    You learn programming, databases, networks, and how businesses use technology, which is the foundation for every later step.

  2. Computer Systems Analyst

    2-4 years

    You study how a team or company uses its computer systems, find problems, and recommend improvements, which builds the big-picture view managers need.

  3. IT Project Manager

    2-4 years

    You plan projects, set schedules, lead teams, and work with budgets and stakeholders, which is the leadership experience that prepares you to manage whole departments.

  4. Computer and Information Systems Manager

    Ongoing

    You plan, direct, and coordinate an organization's computer systems and IT staff, setting priorities and making sure technology supports business goals.

Where it can lead

  1. Director of Information Technology

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee several IT managers and set technology strategy for a larger part of the organization or the whole company, with more budget and decision-making power.

  2. Chief Information Officer

    5 or more years of experience first

    You are the top technology leader for an organization, responsible for long-term IT strategy and reporting to senior executives; it usually requires a strong record of leading large teams and projects.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take computer science and programming classesEarly coding practice builds the technical base you will use in every step of this path.
  • Take math and statistics coursesStrong math skills support logic, problem solving, and the planning and budgeting work managers do.
  • Join a coding, robotics, or technology clubWorking on team projects helps you learn to collaborate and communicate about technical ideas.
  • Get a part-time job or volunteer doing tech helpHelping family, neighbors, or a local organization with computer problems gives you real troubleshooting and customer service experience.
  • Enter a computer science or coding competitionCompetitions show you how to solve problems under pressure and give you something to list on college applications.

In college

  • Major in computer science or information systemsA bachelor's degree in one of these fields is the typical starting point for this career, and a business minor adds useful management knowledge.
  • Take courses in project management, business, or communicationManagers need to plan projects, explain technical issues to non-technical people, and lead teams.
  • Get an internship in IT or softwareReal work experience during college helps you find your first job and shows employers you can apply what you learned.
  • Earn an entry-level IT certificationA recognized certification in networking, security, or help desk work shows employers you have practical skills.
  • Lead a student organization or group projectTaking charge of a team or event builds the leadership experience this career needs later on.

Tips for getting started

  • Build real projects you can show, such as a website, app, or school system tool, because hiring managers in IT look at what you have built and done.
  • Practice leadership early by leading a group project, running a club, or organizing an event, since managing people and projects is a big part of this career.
  • Look for part-time or summer work in tech support or IT help desk roles; these jobs teach you how real organizations run their computers and often lead to better IT jobs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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