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What is an information technology team leader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

An information technology (IT) team leader is an IT professional who manages a team of computer programmers in an organization or a company. The IT team leader sets goals for the IT department and works with upper management and clients to deliver specific software programs designed to perform a variety of tasks. This individual communicates and coordinates with team members to design, program, and deliver computer programs and related technologies to clients, customers, and staff. The IT team leader also oversees the testing, delivery, and trouble-shooting of IT applications, as well as web development and network security protocols.

Most IT team leaders have a bachelor's or a master's in computer science, IT, or a comparable field. These individuals should possess strong leadership, communication, analytical, and teamwork skills and should also have a broad knowledge of computer software, databases, hardware, and computer networks.

Many IT team leaders can make up to $99,000 annually, and the field is expected to grow 10% by 2028. If you love working with computers and have a knack for IT, a career as an IT team leader can be both a rewarding and lucrative one.

What general advice would you give to an information technology team leader?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.
ScoreInformation Technology Team LeaderUS Average
Salary
8.0

Avg. Salary $114,291

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 14.81%

Black or African American 10.96%

Hispanic or Latino 14.79%

Unknown 5.28%

White 53.76%

Gender

female 22.23%

male 77.77%

Age - 41
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 - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Information technology team leader career paths

Key steps to become an information technology team leader

  1. Explore information technology team leader education requirements

    Most common information technology team leader degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.6 %

    Master's

    16.1 %

    Associate

    14.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology team leader skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Database7.29%
    Project Management6.99%
    Customer Service4.96%
    Network Infrastructure4.39%
    Azure3.99%
  3. Complete relevant information technology team leader training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology team leaders 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 team leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology team leader resumes.
  4. Research information technology team leader duties and responsibilities

    • Used UNIX shell scripting to automate scheduling of jobs.
    • Lead project team in the deliverance of the best SharePoint solutions in support of client requirements.
    • Work with functional team leads to setup new plant in the legacy ERP system for Canada operations.
    • Lead teams across full SDLC to design, build, and deliver applications for complex business problems.
  5. Get information technology team leader experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become an information technology team leader. The most common roles before becoming an information technology team leader include systems administrator, team leader team lead and information technology manager.
  6. Prepare your information technology team leader resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology team leader 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 team leader 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 team leader resume templates

    Build a professional information technology team leader 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 team leader resume.
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
    Information Technology Team Leader Resume
  7. Apply for information technology team leader jobs

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

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

How did you land your first information technology team leader job

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Average information technology team leader salary

The average information technology team leader salary in the United States is $114,291 per year or $55 per hour. Information technology team leader salaries range between $87,000 and $149,000 per year.

Average information technology team leader salary
$114,291 Yearly
$54.95 hourly

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How do information technology team leaders rate their job?

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Information technology team leader reviews

profile
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.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Safety of the employees and opportunities to learn and leadership

Cons

Not to be listened by the employees


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

The opportunity to render services to client, and managing technology by giving key information to customers.

Cons

Not meeting up to expectation of a client.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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