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The differences between systems managers and information systems directors 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 manager and an information systems director. Additionally, an information systems director has an average salary of $130,822, which is higher than the $107,156 average annual salary of a systems manager.
The top three skills for a systems manager include customer service, project management and patients. The most important skills for an information systems director are customer service, project management, and network infrastructure.
| Systems Manager | Information Systems Director | |
| Yearly salary | $107,156 | $130,822 |
| Hourly rate | $51.52 | $62.90 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 145,551 | 128,575 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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.
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.
Systems managers and information systems directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Manager | Information Systems Director | |
| Average salary | $107,156 | $130,822 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $152,000 | Between $86,000 And $198,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Outbrain |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a systems manager and an information systems director in terms of educational background:
| Systems Manager | Information Systems Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between systems managers' and information systems directors' demographics:
| Systems Manager | Information Systems Director | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.8% Female, 23.2% | Male, 81.3% Female, 18.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 11% |