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What is a configuration manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Configuration manager positions are available in a wide range of industries, but they are most commonly found in technology-based businesses. They provide the overall Configuration Management (CM) infrastructure and environment to the product development team.

The duties that they be perform in this capacity include providing support to project teams in configuring and base-lining project items, reviewing and recommending improvements to existing configuration management processes, maintaining data quality and integrity of CM database, and analyzing configuration issues and proposing appropriate solutions. The qualifications needed to work as a configuration manager include a degree and work experience. Applicants can enter this career after obtaining a bachelor's degree in computer science, programming, or a related subject. Since this position is at the management level, some employers may expect a master's degree in computer science or several years of work experience. Some employers may accept demonstrable programming skills and a track record of successful software projects in place of a postsecondary degree.

The average hourly salary for the position is $47.42, which equates to $98,639 annually. The career is likely to grow in the near future and create new opportunities all across the United States.

ScoreConfiguration ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.9

Avg. Salary $112,553

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.4

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 37.54%

male 62.46%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Configuration manager career paths

Key steps to become a configuration manager

  1. Explore configuration manager education requirements

    Most common configuration manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.8 %

    Associate

    14.4 %

    Master's

    14.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific configuration manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Database5.97%
    Version Control5.38%
    Infrastructure5.36%
    Software Configuration Management5.34%
    Software Development4.76%
  3. Complete relevant configuration manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New configuration managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a configuration manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real configuration manager resumes.
  4. Research configuration manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage automated Jenkins build jobs to build and deploy java applications.
    • Act as PMO managing software builds and change control for major and minor releases.
    • Manage and perform application builds for a group of 25 software engineers on a heterogeneous Unix network.
    • Manage and support software, hardware, and documentation of configuration items used for information system development and support infrastructure.
  5. Prepare your configuration manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your configuration manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a configuration manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable configuration manager resume templates

    Build a professional configuration manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your configuration manager resume.
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
    Configuration Manager Resume
  6. Apply for configuration manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a configuration manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first configuration manager job

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Average configuration manager salary

The average configuration manager salary in the United States is $112,553 per year or $54 per hour. Configuration manager salaries range between $77,000 and $164,000 per year.

Average configuration manager salary
$112,553 Yearly
$54.11 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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