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The differences between senior information systems engineers and information systems directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior information systems engineer, becoming an information systems director takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, an information systems director has an average salary of $130,822, which is higher than the $113,965 average annual salary of a senior information systems engineer.
The top three skills for a senior information systems engineer include NIST, linux and DOD. The most important skills for an information systems director are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Senior Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Director | |
| Yearly salary | $113,965 | $130,822 |
| Hourly rate | $54.79 | $62.90 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 168,069 | 128,575 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
A senior information systems engineer deals with technical issues. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, including organizational abilities and written and verbal communication skills. They are responsible for resolving escalated service issues, maintaining the technology of their assigned accounts, coaching other engineers for resolutions, documenting maintenance for all computer systems and network infrastructure, performing network assessments and security audits and new client consultation, and implementing complex projects.
An Information Systems Director spearheads and oversees a business establishment's information systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They set goals and guidelines, establish protocols and timelines, liaise with external business partners such as vendors and suppliers, manage staff, and develop strategies to optimize operations. As an Information Systems Director, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach performance and service goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Senior information systems engineers and information systems directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Director | |
| Average salary | $113,965 | $130,822 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $161,000 | Between $86,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati | Outbrain |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior information systems engineer and an information systems director in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between senior information systems engineers' and information systems directors' demographics:
| Senior Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Director | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.8% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |