Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Information technology systems technician lead job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected information technology systems technician lead job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 18,200 new jobs for information technology systems technician leads are projected over the next decade.
Information technology systems technician lead salaries have increased 9% for information technology systems technician leads in the last 5 years.
There are over 32,654 information technology systems technician leads currently employed in the United States.
There are 143,010 active information technology systems technician lead job openings in the US.
The average information technology systems technician lead salary is $113,663.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,654 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 30,776 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 27,880 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 17,698 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 16,614 | 0.01% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $113,663 | $54.65 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $109,918 | $52.85 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $107,429 | $51.65 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $106,186 | $51.05 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $104,353 | $50.17 | +2.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 409 | 59% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 329 | 44% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 347 | 40% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 289 | 38% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 720 | 37% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 391 | 37% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 576 | 34% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,817 | 33% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 656 | 31% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 196 | 31% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 402 | 30% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 323 | 30% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,741 | 29% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 166 | 29% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,974 | 27% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,837 | 27% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 796 | 27% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,423 | 26% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 254 | 26% |
| 20 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 738 | 25% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean | 1 | 2% | $107,522 |
| 2 | Iowa City | 1 | 1% | $97,421 |
| 3 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $92,447 |
Belmont University
Mount St Mary's University
Harding University
Northwood University
University of South Florida

Quinnipiac University
Brigham Young University - Idaho

Albertus Magnus College

Pace University

University of Illinois at Chicago
Loyola University Chicago

University of Michigan-Flint
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Over the next five years, the expanding landscape of Big Data facilitated via Information Systems will continue to play a major role in the structure of how Smart Systems are created and maintained. As a result, having skills that will allow for effectively accessing, modifying, analyzing, storing and securing data is key. The integration of these skills are strengths that will support fields under the umbrella of computer science and data science that expand into machine learning, natural language processing and the Internet of Things (IoT) concepts.
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Colleges and universities try very hard to prepare students for life after graduation. Most students have the required skill sets for their field of study. However, the journey after attaining a degree still can be tricky. Selecting the right field for you is paramount. Information Systems (IS) is a great major. The interdisciplinary aspect of Information Systems (IS) allows graduates to select from numerous opportunities in the field. However, this can be quite overwhelming when students have options to apply to countless jobs. My advice would be to reflect on several assignments, projects or internship experiences during your undergraduate career that captured your interest, made you smile while completing the assignment or even one which began as a random goal and became personal. Start by identifying tasks that made you inquire more about a topic outside of the minimum requirements or a task that was challenging but helped to improve a skill set. Reflecting on these experiences will allow you to effectively navigate what areas to consider and what jobs to apply to in a sea of endless opportunities. Additionally, having the ability to reflect on past accomplishments can motivate and challenge graduates to achieve additional goals as they continue building their careers.
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Employers will seek candidates that have knowledge on topics such as database systems, networking, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Leveraging the skills acquired from your degree and extending those by acquiring external certifications in these fields will help distinguish you from other candidates. There are many online programs which offer certifications in AWS, Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and SAP that are innovative and provide real-world case studies to prepare students to have successful careers.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: The transition from the academic world to the industry is a significant milestone and may be overwhelming for the beginners. The first and foremost advice I would give is to be “patient”, be “positive” and be “open to learning”. The field of Information Systems consists of the three important components – people, processes, and technology. The graduates beginning their careers should be able to understand and learn about the “people” working in the organization, the “processes” of the organization and the “technology” used by the organization. To accomplish this, work hard, be open to ask questions to the senior colleagues and keep yourself informed about the new trends in Information Systems sector.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: One of the recommendations would be to get an entry-level industry certification within the Information Systems field. For example, if you are interested in networking, you can go for CompTIA Network+, similarly, if you are interested in cybersecurity, you can go for CompTIA Security+. In addition to your college degree, industry certifications are well recognized by the organizations which can maximize your salary potential when starting a career in Information Systems.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: Apart from the traditional knowledge expected in the field such coding, computer networking, database design and development, systems analyses, web technologies and development, data analytics; the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the knowledge about cybersecurity will be considered as the important and prevalent skills sought among the new graduates in the field.
Kevin Jetton: Now referred to simply as Information Systems or Enterprise Systems, they are the mission-critical applications that run the enterprise and used to provide information, processes, data and outcomes to all parties such as internal employees, customers and partners/suppliers. Example such systems are all the Financial Applications (Accounts Payable/Receivable, General Ledger, Payroll, Human Resources, Fixed Assets, Budgeting and more), Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing, Enterprise Resource Management, Order/Service Fulfillment and more. What do individuals do on a daily basis? Depends on the individual's role in the overall process: Unit Managers/Users: Part of a project team to analyze/design/test/train/implement new or modified systems for their unit. IT Professionals: Project Management, Systems Analysts, Enterprise Architects to design solutions, Database and Security experts, Application Developers/Programmers, Testing and Training Teams, Data conversion specialists, Scheduling and Implementation teams.
Kevin Jetton: The need for IT skilled employees has never faded despite the right-sizing of many organizations IT staffing components post-pandemic when there was a hiring surge to enhance systems and processes to accommodate more online-only services and offerings. The key is to have a diverse skill-set or base so as to see the bigger picture and able to not only communicate to business users and executives, but to solve problems for the enterprise and deliver them.
Kevin Jetton: The phrase itself has been retired basically and broadened to include ALL information systems - focusing on the mission-critical applications and processes to deliver results to all the parties both inside and outside the organization. Originally, Management Information Systems (MIS) focused ONLY on the Financial/Accounting/Payroll/Manufacturing aspects and was the label for them and the department of IT staffers 1970's-1990's eras. By the year 1995-2000 with the looming Y2K issue, the mission-critical nature of these applications enterprise-wide rose to the forefront of everyone's mind when the realization that the systems may not function properly 1/1/2000 and beyond basically introduced the phrase Enterprise Systems to the world that serve the enterprise internally and externally. Like: The excitement of being involved in such key applications/systems serving the entire organization. Working side-by-side by all units/levels of fellow staff members and partner organizations to identify and solve pain-points within the organization and more that could be solved/automated/enhanced through technology. Helping deliver applications and tools that serve your organization's customers, fellow-employees and partners. Dislike: Long projects that could span months-to-years. Underestimated project schedules that rush through the phases but deliver short-changed results. Pressure to meet deadlines and expectations. Constantly changing/evolving technology and services. Outsourcing to non-employees outside the organization perhaps globally. Being on-call 24x7 to handle and resolve system outages and downtime/failures.
Dr. Joe Faith: Skills involving how to properly use AI and AI-enabled tools will be big. We've already seen huge changes since November of 2022. I only think the life cycle for these products will continue to get shorter. It's not AI that you need to worry about displacing you from your job. It's a smart human that knows how to use AI. I think that, for IS professionals specifically, you need to focus not only on hard skills, but soft skills as well. Many individuals can either communicate well or program well but not many can do both. There is a niche there that needs to be filled.
Dr. Joe Faith: One of the major things is either having more education or certifications to help with inflating your initial salary. Besides that, I would say that the industry and location you move to will have a large hand to play in terms of the salary you get. You always need to balance the cost of living though, if you're focusing more on location as your proxy. The types of jobs you can get in IS are so varied that it can make a huge difference in terms of earning potential right off the bat. For example, if you were to go into software development, data analytics, project management, or cybersecurity after getting your IS degree (which we've had many students do), then you would definitely be earning more than if you took an entry level support technician role (think help desk) for a company. I always try to talk with my advisees about this subject, so that they can decide what path is best for them. Sometimes, students aim lower than they necessarily have to, and that can hurt their initial salary.
Dr. Joe Faith: I think the best general advice would be to not be scared to take a risk on yourself. There are a lot of jobs out there that people are oftentimes afraid to apply for. This can be for several factors but one of the main ones I hear is that they don't feel like they are qualified enough. I can't tell you how many times I've had students that got a job they were slightly underqualified for because they were smart, had drive, and were a great culture fit for the firm in question. Along with that, I would say that certifications can help land your first gig. After a while, in many cases, experience will be more important. But, a cert can be just the thing to get you 'over the top' and land that first job after college.
Jasser Jasser: Creativity is paramount, whether you're part of an established company, a nonprofit, or kickstarting your venture. Challenge conventional thinking and utilize cutting-edge AI tools to stay ahead. Genuine creativity stems from a deep understanding of the latest trends and technologies. Remain vigilant for new breakthroughs, immerse yourself in tech-centric literature, and constantly ponder how these advancements can elevate your career and amplify your creative output. Additionally, cultivate a robust professional network and seek mentorship. Industry connections can offer priceless advice, open pathways to career opportunities, and provide insights that facilitate career growth and salary enhancement.
Jasser Jasser: As AI becomes increasingly central to Information Systems, mastering the integration of effective, ethical, explainable, and secure AI into your work is indispensable. Alongside these technical skills, prioritize the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. In the technical realm of Information Systems, the ability to collaborate effectively and articulate complex ideas clearly is what often separates the most accomplished professionals.
Jasser Jasser: In an era where intelligent chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini can perform a myriad of tasks, it's essential to infuse authenticity into your work. Whether crafting a new user experience or devising strategies against cyber threats, ensure your ideas are genuinely yours. Yet, this doesn't mean you should overlook the capabilities of these AI tools. Leverage them to refine and enhance your concepts. Equally critical is adaptability in our fast-evolving field. Embrace new roles, technologies, and methodologies with an open mind, as this flexibility can unlock doors to unexpected and fulfilling career opportunities.
Jason Nichols PhD: The business environment is very dynamic right now, especially with regards to technology, and specifically with regards to AI. The advice remains the same through this however - stay curious, and always be learning. AI requires infrastructure, and lots of it. It also requires data. Lots of that as well. Businesses won’t be successful with AI unless they are able to efficiently and dynamically expand, configure, and adjust their infrastructure in support of its implementation. They also won’t be successful unless they have a solid plan for data storage, management and security. They need your help with this, and your training has prepared you to provide this type of support. This is an exciting time to be an Information Systems Professional. You are helping to shape the future of work, and the role of technology within the modern business enterprise. We are all counting on you, your company is counting on you, and you are up for this challenge and the emergent opportunities it brings.
Jason Nichols PhD: Businesses need people to manage and secure their infrastructure, they need people that deeply and richly understand the mechanics of the systems that support them in their work, and they need people equipped to identify how to leverage these systems in transformative ways in order to create meaningful and sustainable value. All of this is underpinned by a rich understanding of the business, how it operates, and how its strategic objectives are intrinsically tied to the technology upon which it runs. Sharpen your skills in cloud computing and AI-relevant cloud services and platforms, in machine learning and AI, and in systems analysis and design. Explore design patterns relevant to the architecture of business technology systems and solutions. Become an expert at orchestrating technology and infrastructure to suit a given business need, objective, or strategy. These skills are timeless.
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
Northwood University
Computer And Information Sciences
Professor David Sanford: Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
University of South Florida
School of Information Systems and Management
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Analytical and problem-solving skills, Strong technical skills, The ability to work well under pressure, attention to detail, teamwork skills, organization and time management, interpersonal and communication skills, management and leadership skills.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Leadership, motivation, communication, conflict management, trust-building, decision-making, organization, and time management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Negotiation, relevant technical skills, prioritization and goal setting, project planning, delegating, and budget management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Software development, technical sales leadership, mobile app development, business analysis, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, analytical reasoning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and blockchain.

Quinnipiac University
School of Business
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Systems analysis and design
- Business/process/data modeling
- IT project management
- Change management
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Python
- SQL
- Excel
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Cloud computing
- Scrum
- DevOps`
Brigham Young University - Idaho
Department of Computer Information Technology
Michael McLaughlin: The ability to solve unstructured problems.
Michael McLaughlin: The ability to work well with people.
Michael McLaughlin: Solid understanding of the technology stack (from desktops to cloud), including at least one programming language at certification level and object-oriented design skills that include exclusivity, patterns, and data design both in relational and document databases.
Michael McLaughlin: Rock-solid programming skills; and presently four languages that appear to drive the highest salaries: Object-C/Swift (macOS, iOS), Ruby, Python, JavaScript (with React.js and Node.js skills). However, this changes from source to source.

Albertus Magnus College
Business Administration and Management Department
David Garaventa: The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.
David Garaventa: Here is where I can be a little more specific, but mostly in terms of certifications. Certifications and micro-credentials indicate two things to an employer: First, you must have an established, verified set of knowledge and skills that you bring to the table. If it is an industry-respected certification, it brings a lot of credibility regarding your knowledge and skills around a specific platform or application. The second thing that certifications and micro-credentials demonstrate to an employer is that you are willing to continue to grow and develop your skills in your field. Technology is progressing so rapidly that the things you knew last year may no longer be relevant today. And as a result, having the ability and desire to continue learning, adapting, and attaining certifications is a great way to show your ongoing commitment to your profession.

Pace University
Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Dr. Pauline Mosley: There are several big trends; however, in my opinion, the biggest trend we are seeing is an increase in the usage of mobile apps, cloud computing and smart technologies. The pandemic has cultivated a huge demand for these applications. The problematic effects of the pandemic such as the inability to conduct business and interact socially, has heighten the need for these technologies - hence transitioning them from emerging technologies to part of our everyday living.
Dr. Pauline Mosley: All graduates should possess strong communication skills, a willingness to take risks, think critically and innovatively. Lastly, they need to be flexible and willing to learn.
Dr. Pauline Mosley: In my opinion a typical day for a recent graduate may entail working various hours throughout the day. In the past work days were considered from 9 to 5; however, with the pandemic and global economy, graduates should expect to work in segments through-out the day or when critical work needs to be completed. So, they should expect to work a few hours in the morning, a few in the afternoon, and possibly a few more late into the evening to accommodate the clientele that may be working in another time zone or part of the world. The concept of "the office" will be redefined by their employer. "The office" could be their homes, or a combination of home and a physical space, or it could be virtual. They should expect to work with people from various cultures and in some cases they may even interact with smart technologies, robotics, or other forms of new technologies. Their work day will be very exciting because they will have a myriad of technological options and the flexibility to decide how they work (whether remote or in-person) to complete various tasks.

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: If a student decides to take time off before moving on to a job or graduate school, they should use that time to develop skills in which you may not receive formal training while in college. For example, skills like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are going to be more vital than ever in the new norm.
Peter Dordal Ph.D.: I'm leaving off software developers, and answering about our Information Technology graduates.
IT students entering the business world will need to know how to get the maximum leverage out of business systems. In many cases, this will mean writing their own specialized queries to extract the precise business intelligence needed; general-purpose "canned" queries just won't cut it. They will need a broad understanding of what software can accomplish for the enterprise and how to deploy new software effectively; this applies to software used in the office as well as to software used in manufacturing and shipping. And they will need to understand how to lease storage and computing resources from the cloud to meet not only predictable, long-term demands but also sudden short-term business projects.
Students working in database administration and management will need to be able to manage much larger volumes of data than a few years ago. They will need to be familiar with the great variety of new databases in order to pick the best tool for the job.
Students working in network management will need to be able to ensure that everyone has the bandwidth and server access they need, as those demands expand to include extensive video, low-latency real-time connectivity, and the regular transfer of huge amounts of data.
Students in cybersecurity will need to be fully acquainted with all the recommended best practices. However, they will also have to be able to anticipate and guard against potential new vulnerabilities. "By the book" protection is no longer sufficient.

Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: Starting a career in information systems is an exciting path filled with opportunities for growth and innovation. Here are some advice: - Stay Curious and Keep Learning: The field of information systems is constantly evolving with new technologies, methodologies, and best practices. Continuously learning through courses, certifications, webinars, and self-study will keep your skills sharp and relevant. - Gain Practical Experience: Whether through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering, practical experience is invaluable. Hands-on work will help you understand how theoretical concepts apply in real-world scenarios and will significantly enhance your resume. - Develop Soft Skills: Technical skills are crucial, but soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are equally important. The ability to articulate technical information to non-technical stakeholders can make you an invaluable member of any team.
Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: This is a very good question. These are some advice: - Obtain Relevant Certifications - Specialize in High-Demand Areas - Build a Strong Portfolio - Continue Education and Training - Building a robust professional network - Choose the Right Industry
Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: In the next 3-5 years, the field of information systems is likely to be influenced by several emerging technologies and trends, making certain skills particularly important. Here are a few skills that are expected to become more prevalent and critical: - Analytical Skills: Learn to interpret large sets of data to help businesses make informed decisions. - Technical Proficiency: Develop expertise in cloud computing and managing applications over the internet. - Problem Solving: Design AI and machine learning systems that solve complex problems automatically. - Ethical Judgment: Understand and apply ethical principles in the use of technology, especially concerning privacy and data security.