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Systems director vs systems manager

The differences between systems directors and systems managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a systems director and a systems manager. Additionally, a systems director has an average salary of $136,676, which is higher than the $107,156 average annual salary of a systems manager.

The top three skills for a systems director include patients, oversight and health system. The most important skills for a systems manager are customer service, project management, and patients.

Systems director vs systems manager overview

Systems DirectorSystems Manager
Yearly salary$136,676$107,156
Hourly rate$65.71$51.52
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs83,992145,551
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience88

What does a systems director do?

A systems director is in charge of spearheading the implementation and development of systems and networks within a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around setting goals and objectives, allocating budgets, identifying company needs, and developing strategies to optimize operations. They may also manage the workforce and resolve any issues as needed. Furthermore, as a systems director, it is essential to lead and encourage the workers to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, creating new ones as needed.

What does a systems manager do?

A systems manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the information technology department, evaluating staff performance, developing strategic procedures to maximize productivity, and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenues and profitability for the company. Systems managers inspect company networks to ensure the efficiency of the technology systems, conducting regular diagnostic tests, and installing upgrades to boost optimization. A systems manager must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command in programming languages and system codes to maintain the security of the company's database.

Systems director vs systems manager salary

Systems directors and systems managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Systems DirectorSystems Manager
Average salary$136,676$107,156
Salary rangeBetween $98,000 And $189,000Between $75,000 And $152,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyHolland & KnightMeta
Best paying industryMediaTechnology

Differences between systems director and systems manager education

There are a few differences between a systems director and a systems manager in terms of educational background:

Systems DirectorSystems Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University

Systems director vs systems manager demographics

Here are the differences between systems directors' and systems managers' demographics:

Systems DirectorSystems Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 72.3% Female, 27.7%Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 12.6% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between systems director and systems manager duties and responsibilities

Systems director example responsibilities.

  • Manage installation and administration of HP-UX, AIX, Unix, and Linux servers.
  • Implement and manage a VoIP phone system to streamline communications between branch locations and reduce operating costs by $60k.
  • Manage budgets associate with payroll, equipment and other costs associate with examinations.
  • Lead projects with responsibilities for the architecture, implementation and administration of data warehouse and repository technical environments.
  • Ensure availability by installing SAN arrays replicating in real time.
  • Integrate multiple CRM applications into a single platform for access worldwide.
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Systems manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage development teams which programme Java software applications to scan bar-code shipping labels and automate receipt and inventory processes.
  • Manage AutoCAD upgrades and tools.
  • Manage all aspects of PC and Macintosh technical support.
  • Install and manage small office computer network system running AutoCAD.
  • Define and manage execution of testing require for resolving FDA findings.
  • Lead cross-organization team to align company structure to employee base in PeopleSoft.
  • Show more

Systems director vs systems manager skills

Common systems director skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Health System, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
Common systems manager skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Management System, 4%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Client Facing, 4%

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