Information systems manager vs information systems director

The differences between information systems managers and information systems directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an information systems manager and an information systems director. Additionally, an information systems manager has an average salary of $137,275, which is higher than the $130,822 average annual salary of an information systems director.

The top three skills for an information systems manager include customer service, project management and data entry. The most important skills for an information systems director are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.

Information systems manager vs information systems director overview

	Information Systems Manager	Information Systems Director
Yearly salary	$137,275	$130,822
Hourly rate	$66.00	$62.90
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	151,862	128,575
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	8	8

What does an information systems manager do?

An information systems manager is typically in charge of overseeing the information technology (IT) systems and networks in a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They are directly responsible for managing IT workers such as analysts and programmers, delegating tasks, assessing performance, managing schedules, handling budgets, and spearheading installations and upgrades. Furthermore, as an information systems manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does an information systems director do?

An Information Systems Director spearheads and oversees a business establishment's information systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They set goals and guidelines, establish protocols and timelines, liaise with external business partners such as vendors and suppliers, manage staff, and develop strategies to optimize operations. As an Information Systems Director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach performance and service goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Information systems manager vs information systems director salary

Information systems managers and information systems directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Information Systems Manager	Information Systems Director
Average salary	$137,275	$130,822
Salary range	Between $95,000 And $198,000	Between $86,000 And $198,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Hampshire	Washington
Best paying company	Baker McKenzie	Outbrain
Best paying industry	Professional	Manufacturing

Differences between information systems manager and information systems director education

There are a few differences between an information systems manager and an information systems director in terms of educational background:

	Information Systems Manager	Information Systems Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	Carnegie Mellon University

Information systems manager vs information systems director demographics

Here are the differences between information systems managers' and information systems directors' demographics:

	Information Systems Manager	Information Systems Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5%	Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between information systems manager and information systems director duties and responsibilities

Information systems manager example responsibilities.

Manage the administration of the ERP system host on the cloud.
Integrate several off-the-shelf and SaaS systems to automate and streamline common transactions.
Manage process and provide a long-term roadmap from a PMO and technology perspective.
Manage all purchasing and approval of hardware/software for the facility including RFP's and RFI's.
Implement and manage the newspaper's and corporate office's first help desk solution following ITIL standards.
Lead the planning and implementation of an automate document control system for ISO 9002 in a FDA environment.

Information systems director example responsibilities.

Lead a technology expansion to deliver an internal portal using Microsoft .NET and SharePoint platforms.
Manage SDLC of custom application and relate web and data services, consultants and support contracts.
Establish team of security /compliance experts to effectively manage PCI and SOX compliance and formal change control processes.
Manage multiple large scale projects including infrastructure installations of wire and wireless networks and replace PBX system creating efficiencies and savings.
Lead the implementation of several SharePoint initiatives.
Implement custom build ERP system which manage inventory, laboratory testing and patient demographics.

Information systems manager vs information systems director skills

Common information systems manager skills

Customer Service, 17%
Project Management, 9%
Data Entry, 7%
Technical Support, 4%
SQL Server, 3%
PC, 3%

Common information systems director skills

Customer Service, 8%
Project Management, 8%
Network Infrastructure, 7%
Windows Server, 4%
SQL Server, 4%
Data Warehouse, 4%

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Information Systems Manager
Information Systems Manager vs Information Systems Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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