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The differences between senior information technology managers and senior information technology specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a senior information technology manager, becoming a senior information technology specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior information technology manager has an average salary of $133,138, which is higher than the $103,478 average annual salary of a senior information technology specialist.
The top three skills for a senior information technology manager include project management, cloud and architecture. The most important skills for a senior information technology specialist are customer service, database, and technical support.
| Senior Information Technology Manager | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $133,138 | $103,478 |
| Hourly rate | $64.01 | $49.75 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 187,930 | 111,996 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 2 |
A senior information technology manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of the company's technology and network systems. Senior information technology managers oversee technology infrastructures and operations, ensuring the processes adhere to the company policies and regulations. They analyze the schematics and specifications of computer systems, maintaining the safety and security across all networks to prevent unauthorized access. A senior information technology manager must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages.
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Senior information technology managers and senior information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Manager | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $133,138 | $103,478 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $179,000 | Between $78,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Netflix | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology manager and a senior information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Manager | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology managers' and senior information technology specialists' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Manager | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 14.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |