Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between information technology associates and information technology systems managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an information technology associate, becoming an information technology systems manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, an information technology systems manager has an average salary of $130,526, which is higher than the $75,790 average annual salary of an information technology associate.
The top three skills for an information technology associate include SOC, data analysis and sarbanes-oxley. The most important skills for an information technology systems manager are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Information Technology Associate | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $75,790 | $130,526 |
| Hourly rate | $36.44 | $62.75 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 116,996 | 156,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
An information technology (IT) associate is an individual who assists in the management of an IT infrastructure of an organization. IT associates are required to provide support and maintenance of network and wireless infrastructure as well as manage the technical side of an organization's web content platform. They must assist in the management of the inventory of equipment that can include computer desktops, projectors, copiers, and printers. IT associates should also communicate with staff members so that they can respond to their IT needs as well as provide maintenance and support.
An information technology systems manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the organization's technology systems. Information technology systems managers ensure the safety and security of all the network systems, developing standard operating procedures to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities. They also identify technical opportunities to improve network infrastructures and technology solutions. An information technology systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to design configuration and maintain the stability of systems.
Information technology associates and information technology systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Associate | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $75,790 | $130,526 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $111,000 | Between $95,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | SAP | Southern California Edison |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an information technology associate and an information technology systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Associate | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between information technology associates' and information technology systems managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Associate | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 14.6% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 11% | 11% |