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The differences between information systems consultants and systems managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an information systems consultant, becoming a systems manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a systems manager has an average salary of $107,156, which is higher than the $97,215 average annual salary of an information systems consultant.
The top three skills for an information systems consultant include data analysis, cycle management and business process. The most important skills for a systems manager are customer service, project management, and patients.
| Information Systems Consultant | Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $97,215 | $107,156 |
| Hourly rate | $46.74 | $51.52 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 167,313 | 145,551 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
Information system consultants, sometimes known as information system analysts, design and manage an organization's information system. They have to develop policies and procedures for information systems. In most organizations, they play an advisory role on issues such as security, quality assurance, and system expansion. However, they also have to analyze computer system capability specifications, procedures, and issues with automating or upgrading existing systems.
A systems manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the information technology department, evaluating staff performance, developing strategic procedures to maximize productivity, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenues and profitability for the company. Systems managers inspect company networks to ensure the efficiency of the technology systems, conducting regular diagnostic tests, and installing upgrades to boost optimization. A systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command in programming languages and system codes to maintain the security of the company's database.
Information systems consultants and systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Consultant | Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $97,215 | $107,156 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $126,000 | Between $75,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woonsocket, RI | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Dell | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information systems consultant and a systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Consultant | Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between information systems consultants' and systems managers' demographics:
| Information Systems Consultant | Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.0% Female, 26.0% | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |