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The differences between network operations managers and information technology systems managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a network operations manager, 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 $98,658 average annual salary of a network operations manager.
The top three skills for a network operations manager include network operations, project management and network infrastructure. The most important skills for an information technology systems manager are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Network Operations Manager | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $98,658 | $130,526 |
| Hourly rate | $47.43 | $62.75 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 86,381 | 156,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
Network operations managers are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing the operation and stability of an organization's network. These managers usually work with local area networks (LAN) or sometimes with wide area networks (WAN), where information can be shared in a building or between different locations. They serve as the middlemen between the IT department and the company's management team to provide an understanding of their IT needs. Network operations managers must also assist the human resource team in recruiting new employees and providing training related to the field of information technology.
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.
Network operations managers and information technology systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Operations Manager | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $98,658 | $130,526 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $136,000 | Between $95,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Southern California Edison |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a network operations manager and an information technology systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Network Operations Manager | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between network operations managers' and information technology systems managers' demographics:
| Network Operations Manager | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 9% | 11% |