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The differences between managers, systems engineering 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 a manager, systems engineering, becoming an information technology project manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a manager, systems engineering has an average salary of $130,127, which is higher than the $106,981 average annual salary of an information technology project manager.
The top three skills for a manager, systems engineering include systems engineering, architecture and DOD. The most important skills for an information technology project manager are project management, infrastructure, and scrum.
| Manager, Systems Engineering | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $130,127 | $106,981 |
| Hourly rate | $62.56 | $51.43 |
| Growth rate | 16% | - |
| Number of jobs | 174,962 | 207,249 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
A systems engineering manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of the company's technology systems and network infrastructure. System engineering managers inspect the output deliverables of computer systems, identifying process improvement techniques to improve optimal performance and maintain high-quality results. They handle the department's budget and allocate adequate resources to support project management operations and requirements. A systems engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, handling technical complexities, and configuring system management tools.
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.
Managers, systems engineering and information technology project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manager, Systems Engineering | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $130,127 | $106,981 |
| Salary range | Between $96,000 And $176,000 | Between $76,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Pure Storage | Reed Smith |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manager, systems engineering and an information technology project manager in terms of educational background:
| Manager, Systems Engineering | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between managers, systems engineering' and information technology project managers' demographics:
| Manager, Systems Engineering | Information Technology Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.6% 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% |