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The differences between information technology operations managers and information technology technical leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become an information technology operations manager, becoming an information technology technical lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information technology operations manager has an average salary of $114,752, which is higher than the $110,879 average annual salary of an information technology technical lead.
The top three skills for an information technology operations manager include customer service, project management and ITIL. The most important skills for an information technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Information Technology Operations Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $114,752 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $55.17 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 160,088 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
An Information Technology Operations Manager is responsible for the smooth running of the computer systems. They ensure the operation of computer systems in accordance with specifications, costs, and timelines.
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Information technology operations managers and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Operations Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $114,752 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $152,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an information technology operations manager and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Operations Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology operations managers' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Information Technology Operations Manager | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |