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The differences between senior information technology engineers 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 senior information technology engineer, 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 $113,612 average annual salary of a senior information technology engineer.
The top three skills for a senior information technology engineer include cloud, architecture and java. The most important skills for an information technology systems manager are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $113,612 | $130,526 |
| Hourly rate | $54.62 | $62.75 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 163,912 | 156,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
A senior information technology engineer is responsible for designing and creating technical solutions to support business operations and client specifications. Senior information technology engineers improve existing software applications and programs to boost optimization and stabilize network infrastructure. They also support end-users in resolving their system issues and write troubleshooting reports to prevent the reoccurrence of downtimes and delays. A senior information technology engineer must have excellent technical and organizational skills to test multiple systems and ensure that the features meet the quality standards and business requirements.
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.
Senior information technology engineers and information technology systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average salary | $113,612 | $130,526 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $145,000 | Between $95,000 And $178,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Southern California Edison | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology engineer and an information technology systems manager in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology engineers' and information technology systems managers' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Engineer | Information Technology Systems Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.2% 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% |