Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Computer and information systems managers oversee technology-focused functions and initiatives while drawing on both technical and leadership strengths. This career offers a combination of high national employment at 667,000 workers and a national median annual salary of $171,200, indicating substantial opportunity and responsibility. Growth is projected at 15.2%, with 56,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing demand for experienced professionals. Success in this field relies on a mix of computers and information technology expertise, project management capability, and strong problem solving and decision making. Leadership, critical and analytical thinking, and adaptability also play central roles, supported by skills in mathematics, writing and reading, creativity and innovation, and attention to detail. The career path is typically built on at least a bachelor’s degree, aligning formal education with a broad, strategic skill set. For students, career changers, and professionals, this role can provide a long-term trajectory that integrates technology, management, and continuous learning.
Computer and information systems managers have a national median annual salary of $171,200, reflecting strong earning potential in this field. Salaries vary considerably by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median pay ranges from $199,420 in Colorado up to $218,290 in California, with Massachusetts and New York both above $214,000 and Washington above $209,000. At the metro level, compensation can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area shows a median salary of $291,660, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is at $232,890. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $215,300, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH matches the statewide Massachusetts median of $214,960. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro comes in at $195,190. These figures suggest that professionals may see a substantial salary range depending on where they work, with certain metros offering significantly higher median pay than the national level.
Computer and information systems managers benefit from a sizable and growing employment base. National employment stands at 667,000, with projected growth of 15.2%. This growth projection, paired with 56,000 annual openings, indicates a steady stream of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals advancing within the field. The combination of existing employment and projected expansion suggests that organizations anticipate ongoing needs for technology-focused management and oversight. Because annual openings represent both newly created positions and turnover in existing roles, individuals pursuing this path may find chances to move into management from technical or analytical backgrounds over time. The consistent growth projection across multiple states and leading metro areas also shows that demand is not limited to a single region. Overall, the employment outlook points to a career with broad national presence, recurring opportunities, and room for long-term advancement for those who build the right mix of education and skills.
Location can significantly influence opportunity for computer and information systems managers. Among states, California has the highest median salary at $218,290 and the largest employment at 94,720, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York follow closely on pay, each above $214,000, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 respectively. Washington and Colorado also show strong metrics, with median salaries above $199,000 and opportunity scores above 56. All five top states share the same projected growth rate of 15.2%, so differences mainly emerge in salary levels, employment size, and opportunity scores. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $291,660, significantly higher than the national median. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a similarly high opportunity score of 77.27 and the largest metro employment at 62,430. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also show strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for computer and information systems managers is a bachelor’s degree, providing a foundation for both technical understanding and managerial responsibilities. This educational background supports the broad skill profile associated with the role. Core strengths include computers and information technology, which underpin the technical side of the work, and project management, which is essential for organizing and delivering complex initiatives. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and mathematics contribute to structured, data-informed decisions. Leadership and adaptability are important for guiding teams and navigating changing conditions, while being detail oriented helps maintain accuracy and reliability. Writing and reading skills support clear communication and documentation. Creativity and innovation round out the profile by enabling managers to approach challenges in new ways. Together, a bachelor’s degree and these skills form a combination that can prepare individuals for advancement into technology-focused management and strategic roles over time.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
