Operations Specialties Managers

How to become a Computer and Information Systems Manager

Official title: Computer and Information Systems Managers

Also called: Application Development Director, Computing Services Director, Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director), Information Systems Manager (IS Manager), Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor), Information Technology Director (IT Director), Information Technology Manager (IT Manager), MIS Director (Management Information Systems Director), Technical Services Manager

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

Main tasks

Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
Stay abreast of advances in technology.

How to become one

To enter the occupation, computer and information systems managers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology, along with related work experience. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have a graduate degree.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 8 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $175,140 a year The middle half earn $138,060 to $220,730.
About 685,800 people work in this job now, and about 793,900 are projected by 2035. (+15.8%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Computer and Information Systems Manager?

How much does a Computer and Information Systems Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $175,140 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $138,060 to $220,730.

Is a Computer and Information Systems Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 685,800 to about 793,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Computer and Information Systems Manager?

Usually. 74% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Computer and Information Systems Manager?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.