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The differences between information technology project leads 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 project lead, 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 $102,491 average annual salary of an information technology project lead.
The top three skills for an information technology project lead include project management, software development and status reports. The most important skills for an information technology systems manager are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Information Technology Project Lead | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $102,491 | $130,526 |
| Hourly rate | $49.27 | $62.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 181,020 | 156,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
Information technology (IT) project leads are professionals who manage a team of IT professionals that work on the IT projects of an organization. These project leads are required to handle all issues regarding the project and financial management as well as review business and product requirements with the technical development team to address production issues. They must collaborate with the technical and application team leaders so that they can ensure the appropriate development of infrastructure architecture. IT project leads must also participate in negotiations with the software suppliers and IT consulting firms.
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 project leads and information technology systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Project Lead | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $102,491 | $130,526 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $139,000 | Between $95,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Citi | Southern California Edison |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between an information technology project lead and an information technology systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Project Lead | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | 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 project leads' and information technology systems managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Project Lead | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.6% Female, 34.4% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |