How to hire a computer systems manager

How to hire a computer systems manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step computer systems manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a computer systems manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new computer systems manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a computer systems manager job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The computer systems manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a computer systems manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a computer systems manager that fits the bill.

   This list presents computer systems manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Computer Systems Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Computer Systems Manager	Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.	$45-90
   Information Technology Supervisor, Information Technology	An information technology supervisor of information technology is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's IT operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to spearhead projects, set goals and objectives, coordinate staff, manage budgets and timelines, perform installations and upgrades, and develop strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$39-70
   Systems Support Analyst	A systems support analyst is responsible for supporting the operations of the technology department of an organization, resolving network issues, and maintaining the safety and security of the system database. Systems support analysts must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, identifying system process improvements, upgrading system infrastructure, and assisting end-users with navigation... Show more	$27-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Computer System
   • FDA
   • Software Development
   • ISO
   • Customer Service
   • Linux
   • Unix
   • DOD
   • SQL
   • QA
   • Cloud Computing
   • Access Database
   • CAD/CAM
   • Data Integrity

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a multi-vendor UNIX environment (HP/SUN).
   • Develop, manage and perform maintenance on SharePoint web applications with a concentrate focus on physical, information and personnel security.
   • Help train employees to troubleshoot network problems.
   • Maintain all phases of personal computer and UNIX workstation hardware and software.
   • Configure and maintain routing protocol such as OSPF, OSPFv3, and BGP routers and switches.
   • Save client $150K by streamlining process for maintaining HVAC assets and warranty information for more than 2400 locations.

   More computer systems manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your computer systems manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A computer systems manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, computer systems managers' average salary in colorado is 44% less than in new hampshire.
   • Seniority. Entry-level computer systems managers 50% less than senior-level computer systems managers.
   • Certifications. A computer systems manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a computer systems manager's salary.

   Average computer systems manager salary

   $133,879yearly

   $64.36 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level computer systems manager salary

   $94,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average computer systems manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$156,619	$75
   2	New York	$152,544	$73
   3	Virginia	$136,970	$66
   4	Maryland	$133,758	$64
   5	Massachusetts	$133,737	$64
   6	Michigan	$132,711	$64
   7	New Jersey	$131,352	$63
   8	Delaware	$130,864	$63
   9	Washington	$129,292	$62
   10	North Carolina	$120,794	$58
   11	Illinois	$119,487	$57
   12	Arizona	$118,948	$57
   13	Georgia	$111,330	$54
   14	Texas	$108,970	$52
   15	Minnesota	$102,864	$49
   16	Florida	$102,374	$49

   Average computer systems manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	PayPal	$186,467	$89.65	2
   2	Bloomberg	$164,894	$79.28	8
   3	Yahoo	$162,837	$78.29
   4	Cisco	$161,110	$77.46	101
   5	Intuit	$159,326	$76.60	16
   6	Microsoft	$157,538	$75.74	62
   7	Accenture	$153,374	$73.74	168
   8	Collabera	$152,889	$73.50	59
   9	Sony Electronics	$144,717	$69.58	2
   10	Dana-Farber Cancer Institute	$143,641	$69.06	7
   11	Open Systems Technologies	$142,360	$68.44	3
   12	Fujitsu	$141,028	$67.80
   13	Revance Therapeutics	$140,876	$67.73
   14	Merrill Lynch	$139,695	$67.16
   15	IBM	$139,677	$67.15	100
   16	Motorola Solutions	$137,834	$66.27	31
   17	Oracle	$136,963	$65.85	1,641
   18	Multivision	$134,439	$64.63
   19	HCL Technologies	$134,242	$64.54	2
   20	Bank of America	$134,231	$64.53	17

4. Writing a computer systems manager job description

   A job description for a computer systems manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a computer systems manager job description:

   Computer systems manager job description example

   The Mathematics and Computer Science division at Argonne National Laboratory seeks well-prepared candidates for a postdoctoral position in computer systems to explore energy efficiency of accelerators available in an AI Testbed. The successful candidate will be performing computer systems research and development for cutting-edge architectures. This work will include experimental research to explore the performance and power requirements for different AI-enabled science kernels on different AI accelerators. The successful candidate will actively collaborate with computer scientists and domain scientists and have the opportunity to build an independent research program.
   **Position Requirements**
   
   Ideal candidates are expected to have in-depth knowledge of computer architecture and experience in machine/deep learning, high-performance computing, scientific computing as well as programming experience in Python, Tensorflow, and Keras. Should possess good communication skills both verbal and written in addition to software development experiences with computational and data-intensive science problems.
   
   Desirable knowledge and skills include the ability to understand computer systems based upon architectural specifications, experience in computer architecture research, knowledge of parallel programming models such as OpenMP or MPI, and the ability to provide project leadership as well as have collaborative skills including the ability to work well with other laboratories and universities, supercomputer centers and industry.
   
   A recent (typically completed within three years) or soon-to-be completed PhD is required for this role.
   
   Applicants should provide contact information of three references in their application.
   
   **Job Family**
   
   Postdoctoral Family
   
   **Job Profile**
   
   Postdoctoral Appointee
   
   **Worker Type**
   
   Long-Term (Fixed Term)
   
   **Time Type**
   
   Full time
   
   _As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law._
   
   _Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department._
   
   _All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment._
   
   _Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination._

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find computer systems managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any computer systems managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level computer systems managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your computer systems manager job on Zippia to find and recruit computer systems manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting computer systems managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new computer systems manager

   Once you've selected the best computer systems manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new computer systems manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a computer systems manager?