How To Become An IT Manager
If you live, eat and breathe computers and want to work in an organization where you take charge of its computer systems, a career as an information technology or IT manager would suit you well. In this profession, you will be planning, installing and upgrading the company’s hardware and software. You will be ensuring that the company’s network and electronic documents are safe and secure. You will also evaluate a new project and explain to those in top management the reason why it should be funded. As a manager, you will be in charge of directing the job of other professionals in the IT department.
As an IT manager, you will need to be highly analytical so you can solve problems and issues about the company’s computer program. You also need to be able to communicate well so that no misunderstanding occurs. As a manager, you need to be very organized since you will be coordinating the work of the various IT departments of the firm.
Why Become An IT Manager
There are many reasons to become an IT Manager. However, the most compelling reason is that IT managers are able to work on the area that they truly enjoy doing—computers! In this highly digital world, the satisfaction of knowing that an entire company depends on your knowledge is priceless. The high pay and demand for IT managers are also major draws to this profession.
IT Manager Work Environment
IT managers work in various industries. They were mostly employed by computer systems design and related services firms. Their services are also required by companies in the finance and insurance, information, management of companies and enterprises industries as well as in government. They work fulltime in offices, with overtime work required when problems with the company’s computer networks need to be addressed.
IT Manager Salary
The Occupational Employment and Wages report of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in May 2013 IT managers received mean annual wages of $132,570. The agency reported in 2012 that IT managers working in the information industry were paid the highest at $133,120 while those in computer system design and related services were paid $128,830. IT managers hired by finance and insurance companies received $126,680.
Average IT Manager Annual Salary
$149,730
The average annual salary for it managers is $149,730 a year. Salaries start at $83,860 a year and go up to $208,000 a year.
Average IT Manager Hourly Wage
$71.99
The average hourly wage for a it manager is $71.99. Hourly wages are between $40.32 and $100 an hour.
Stats were based out of 365,690 employed it managers in the United States.
Highest Paying States For IT Managers
- 1. New York $90.27 / hr $187,770 / yr
- 2. New Jersey $84.54 / hr $175,830 / yr
- 3. California $84.03 / hr $174,790 / yr
- 4. Virginia $81.57 / hr $169,660 / yr
- 5. District of Columbia $78.99 / hr $164,310 / yr
Top Paying Cities For IT Managers
- 1. San Jose, CA $98.16 / hr$204,180 / yr
- 2. San Francisco, CA $96.68 / hr$201,100 / yr
- 3. New York, NY $95.73 / hr$199,130 / yr
- 4. Newark, NJ $89.62 / hr$186,410 / yr
- 5. Taunton, MA $86.92 / hr$180,780 / yr
Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
IT Manager Career Outlook
From 2012 to 2022, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that IT managers will be employed at a rate of 15 percent. This is faster than the average for all job types. The demand will come from the increasing use of wireless and mobile networks as well as the need for firms to beef up their cyber security networks against different cyber threats. The healthcare industry is also going to contribute to the huge demand of IT managers as hospitals now increase their reliance of information technology.
IT Manager Degree
IT managers generally hold a bachelor’s degree in computer, management information systems or any other program related to information sciences. However, employers usually prefer to hire individuals who also hold a master’s degree in the field or an MBA.
