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The differences between information technology systems directors and information technology project managers 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 systems director, becoming an information technology project manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information technology systems director has an average salary of $147,331, which is higher than the $106,981 average annual salary of an information technology project manager.
The top three skills for an information technology systems director include project management, architecture and network infrastructure. The most important skills for an information technology project manager are project management, infrastructure, and scrum.
| Information Technology Systems Director | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $147,331 | $106,981 |
| Hourly rate | $70.83 | $51.43 |
| Growth rate | 16% | - |
| Number of jobs | 146,989 | 207,249 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
Generally, an information technology systems director is responsible for the management, organization, and execution of IT operations. They oversee technical projects and IT infrastructure, manage a team of employees in the IT department, direct the effective delivery of networks in alignment with the organization's goals, and tracking technology. Their objective is to ensure that security risks are minimized, business goals are met, and user satisfaction is achieved.
An information technology project manager is responsible for supervising the technology department, ensuring that all tasks are being done by following technological strategies and solutions. Information technology project managers' duties include monitoring the technology team's daily operation, handling team members' concerns, managing customers' inquiries and complaints, helping team members' in achieving their professional growth, creating reports, sharing updates during team and board meetings, and maintaining effectivity of operational procedures. An information technology project manager must have excellent leadership and decision-making skills to decide on the best strategies in meeting the company's objectives.
Information technology systems directors and information technology project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Systems Director | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $147,331 | $106,981 |
| Salary range | Between $103,000 And $209,000 | Between $76,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Reed Smith | |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information technology systems director and an information technology project manager in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Systems Director | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology systems directors' and information technology project managers' demographics:
| Information Technology Systems Director | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.5% 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% |