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The differences between information technology consultants and information technology 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 technology consultant, 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 $84,790 average annual salary of an information technology consultant.
The top three skills for an information technology consultant include customer service, database and project management. The most important skills for an information technology systems manager are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Information Technology Consultant | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $84,790 | $130,526 |
| Hourly rate | $40.76 | $62.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 142,475 | 156,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
An Information Technology Consultant, also known as IT Consultant, is responsible for sharing extensive knowledge of Information Technology by providing suggestions and solving issues within the company. Among the duties include installing and maintaining the necessary software and hardware, designing new procedures, overseeing all implementations, and ensuring that all systems are running smoothly, employing methods to secure databases, and providing essential instructions when needed. Furthermore, an Information Technology Consultant needs to coordinate and report to management or supervisors at all times.
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 consultants and information technology systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Consultant | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $84,790 | $130,526 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $115,000 | Between $95,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | California Resources | Southern California Edison |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an information technology consultant and an information technology systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Consultant | 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 | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between information technology consultants' and information technology systems managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Consultant | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.7% 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% |