careers

What is an IT Manager Salary?

webteam June 1, 2023
IT manager sitting at desk watching multiple computer screens

If you love working with technology and are looking for a stable job with high earning potential over the next decade, an information technology management position might be the right fit for you. 

Thanks to high pay and low unemployment, IT manager jobs rank #3 in “Best Technology Jobs,” #6 in “Best STEM Jobs,” and #12 in “Best Paying Jobs,” making it an exciting and promising field to jump into, according to U.S. News & World Report. The median salary for an IT manager is $159,010.

Looking ahead, the IT field appears strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16.2 percent employment growth for IT managers between 2021 and 2031, with 82,400 new jobs.

IT manager responsibilities can include designing, developing, and managing organizational IT infrastructure, along with overseeing IT procedures, standards, and policies. As a result, salary can fluctuate based on differing role titles and duties, and location.

According to Salary.com, some other IT manager jobs might be referred to as:

  • Information Technology Administrator—US average of $91,332 a year
  • Information Technology Director—US average of $197,816 a year
  • IT Project Manager—US average of $121,515 a year

Comparable jobs include software developers (with an average salary of $120,730 per year), computer systems analysts ($99,270), and database administrators ($96,710). 

If you’re looking to move to an area with the highest average salaries, consider: 

  • New York ($195,900);
  • California ($193,500);
  • New Jersey ($189,540);
  • Washington ($178,130); and
  • the District of Columbia ($176,000).

While IT management salaries are considered to be quite competitive, these positions also have benefits like flexible scheduling, advancement opportunities, and a chance to work with new technologies. 

If the information technology field sounds appealing to you, keep in mind that companies hiring for these roles value both experience and education. According to U.S. News & World Report, most IT managers have a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, and organizations are likely to require graduate degrees for IT career advancement. In addition, many organizations value industry certificates in areas like project management, cybersecurity, and more.

Before receiving an IT management promotion, most professionals work five to ten years in an IT occupation (U.S. News & World Report). Opportunities in IT manager career advancement pathways include senior roles such as IT directors, chief technology officers, and even chief information officers. Coupled with a graduate degree, those who have experience working in the IT field can expect to have many career advancement opportunities.

What’s Next?

University of Wisconsin offers an online 31-credit Master of Science in Information Technology Management degree to help you earn the credentials you need to move up in the IT management field. Curious about what you’ll learn in the UW IT Management courses and how it will apply to your current and future roles in the IT field? See the curriculum.

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Programs: IT Management