What is an information technology manager and how to become one

Q: How can I become a good information technology manager?

To become a good information technology manager, you should have good analytical, business, and leadership skills to solve problems effectively. Because a managerial position entails more responsibilities in supervising and implementing, and information technology (IT) manager will need to understand appropriate procedures and excellent judgment when completing tasks and to oversee other IT professionals.

Q: How long does it take to become an information technology manager?

It takes about seven to eleven years, at minimum, to become an information technology manager. The position typically requires a bachelor's degree, generally four years, and usually three or more years of experience in the related field.

Q: What education do you need to be a technology manager?

The education you need to be a technology manager is generally a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology. Common majors are computer science, computer information systems, and business.

Q: What is the IT hierarchy?

The IT hierarchy is the organizational structure of job titles that are normally used in the Information Technology (IT) industry or within the IT department of a company. Here is a detailed look at the job titles in the IT hierarchy, starting with the bottom-level roles and ascending towards the most senior positions:

Q: What is the career path for an IT manager?

The career path for an IT manager includes jobs as a web developer, IT technician, and management analyst. IT managers must have no less than a bachelor's degree in IT. Typically, this major is encompassed around computer science, information technology, or management information systems. Entering the field with only a bachelor's degree would also require an ample amount of experience. To be most marketable, a candidate should have a master's degree in business administration as well.

Q: What qualifications do you need to be an IT manager?

The qualifications you need to be an IT manager are typically a college education and experience in the related field. Most jobs in IT require a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology, typically in computer science or computer information systems. Some organizations may require a graduate degree, so a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a standard route.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.

An information technology manager oversees an organization's technology infrastructure and ensures that it aligns with the company's goals. They manage teams of IT professionals, develop and implement strategies for technology projects, and evaluate new technology solutions. IT managers are also responsible for ensuring the security of data, managing budgets, and staying up-to-date on emerging technologies. They work with other departments to ensure that technology supports business objectives, and are involved in decision-making at the executive level.

What general advice would you give to an information technology manager?

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.

Clinical Professor and Director of Master of Science in Supply Chain and Operations Management, University of Illinois at Chicago

Most employers tell me that soft skills are equally, if not more important, than technical skills or domain knowledge. This translates into external/internal customer-facing skills, such as communication, team collaboration, writing, presentation, problem-solving, and being resourceful. (Many graduates overlook writing as a vital skill, but they fail to realize that in the course of their jobs, they will likely be required to write lots of memos and tons of emails.) The need to perfect these skills within the confines of a virtual world has become even more challenging and amplified with COVID. I teach in the information systems discipline, and when you view student resumes, many people look the same on paper. The soft skills will make a candidate stand out head and shoulders above the rest. That's why the candidate should pay attention to the screening interviews that they will undergo during the hiring process since employers will use these interviews to vet these skills.

ScoreInformation Technology ManagerUS Average

Salary

8.1

Avg. Salary $119,589

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

1.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 12.70%

Black or African American 6.60%

Hispanic or Latino 9.90%

Unknown 5.19%

White 65.41%

Gender

female 15.51%

male 84.49%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an information technology manager?

Pros

Constantly learning new skills and technologies
Ability to work in a variety of industries
Opportunity to lead and manage a team
High demand for IT managers in the job market
Ability to solve complex problems and make strategic decisions

Cons

Long hours and on-call responsibilities
Constantly changing technology and industry standards
Difficulty balancing technical tasks with managerial duties
Need for constant education and training to stay up-to-date
High expectations for flawless execution of technology projects.

Key steps to become an information technology manager

Explore information technology manager education requirements

Most common information technology manager degrees

Bachelor's

64.1 %

Associate

17.3 %

Master's

12.4 %

Start to develop specific information technology manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	11.94%
Project Management	9.23%
Database	4.33%
Network Infrastructure	3.97%
SAN	2.78%

Complete relevant information technology manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an information technology manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology manager resumes.

Gain additional information technology manager certifications

Information technology manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information technology manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for information technology managers include IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

More About Certifications

Research information technology manager duties and responsibilities

Manage all systems onboarding & offboarding of all employees, manage all account access on all company systems & equipment setup.
Manage NFS mounts from NAS devices and setup auto-mounts for the server farm.
Manage applications support for Lawson, Meditech, ChartMaxx and McKesson PACs system.
Negotiate and manage the company through several Telecom agreements for voice, data and wireless.

Prepare your information technology manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an information technology manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable information technology manager resume templates

Build a professional information technology manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information technology manager resume.

Apply for information technology manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an information technology manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average information technology manager salary

The average information technology manager salary in the United States is $119,589 per year or $57 per hour. Information technology manager salaries range between $84,000 and $169,000 per year.

Average information technology manager salary

$119,589 Yearly

$57.49 hourly

How do information technology managers rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Information technology manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024

Pros

It makes sense! Operations based.

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023

Pros

Staying abreast of technology and helping an organization define Technology strategy.

Cons

Work Life Balance can be difficult based on size of team and infrastructure.

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020

Pros

I am not what do you like the most about working as an Information Technology Project Manage

What is an information technology manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an information technology manager?

What are the pros and cons of being an information technology manager?

Information technology manager career paths

Key steps to become an information technology manager

Explore information technology manager education requirements

Most common information technology manager degrees

Start to develop specific information technology manager skills

Complete relevant information technology manager training and internships

Gain additional information technology manager certifications

Research information technology manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your information technology manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable information technology manager resume templates

Apply for information technology manager jobs

How did you land your first information technology manager job

Average information technology manager salary

How do information technology managers rate their job?

Information technology manager reviews

Information technology manager FAQs

How can I become a good information technology manager?

How long does it take to become an information technology manager?

What education do you need to be a technology manager?

What is the IT hierarchy?

What is the career path for an IT manager?

What qualifications do you need to be an IT manager?

Search for information technology manager jobs

Information technology manager jobs by state