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The differences between information technology generalists and information technology 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 generalist, becoming an information technology manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, an information technology manager has an average salary of $119,589, which is higher than the $63,551 average annual salary of an information technology generalist.
The top three skills for an information technology generalist include printers, troubleshoot and computer system. The most important skills for an information technology manager are customer service, project management, and database.
| Information Technology Generalist | Information Technology Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $63,551 | $119,589 |
| Hourly rate | $30.55 | $57.49 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 125,307 | 108,179 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
An information technology generalist performs a variety of tasks in a company. They may install and upgrade software, establish networks and systems, troubleshoot problems, perform regular maintenance checks, and repair systems and networks as needed. There are also instances where they may provide technical support to clients and employees, handle calls and correspondence, coordinate with different departments, oversee data security and recovery plans, and develop strategies to improve a company's information technology operations while adhering to its policies and regulations.
An information technology manager is responsible for supervising tasks for the company's network and information systems operations. Information technology managers require excellent knowledge of the information systems industry, a strong command of programming languages, and software and hardware application processes. An information technology manager reviews the performance of the IT department staff, ensuring that networks and systems maintain the highest quality and efficiency, and adjusting the specific system updates as needed. Information technology managers monitor the security of the system's database and identify business opportunities to utilize all business systems to improve the company's services.
Information technology generalists and information technology managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Generalist | Information Technology Manager | |
| Average salary | $63,551 | $119,589 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $99,000 | Between $84,000 And $169,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Data | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an information technology generalist and an information technology manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Generalist | Information Technology Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between information technology generalists' and information technology managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Generalist | Information Technology Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 84.5% Female, 15.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 11.9% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |