What's it like for students at WGU?
At WGU, your experience is our obsession! You're in charge of your college education—but you're never alone.
Find out how different WGU is about personalizing and supporting your education.
-
- Apply For Admission
- New Students
- WGU Returning Graduates
- WGU Readmission
- Enrollment Checklist
- Admission Requirements
- Teachers College Admissions Requirements
- College of Business Admissions Requirements
- College of IT Admissions Requirements
- College of Health Professions Admissions Requirements
- Transferring
- FAQ for Earning Transfer Credit
- Community College Transfers
- How to Request Transcripts
-
- Tuition and Fees
- Tuition—College of Business
- Tuition—Teachers College
- Tuition—College of IT
- Tuition—College of Health Professions
- Financial Aid
- Applying for Financial Aid
- Consumer Information Guide
- Your Financial Obligations
- Responsible Borrowing Initiative
- Higher Education Relief Fund
- Scholarships
- Corporate Reimbursement
-
- Graduate Outcomes
- Our Students & Graduates
- Alumni Services
- Inspiring Stories of Student Success
- Return on Investment
- Diversity
- Learning at WGU
- Accreditation
- How You'll Learn
- Student Reviews
- Partner Organizations
- Paying for School
- Our Faculty
- Military Support
- Tuition Assistance
- Part-Time Options
- Education Outcomes
- Juggling Life and School
- Getting a Raise or Promotion
- Starting a New Career
- Taking the Next Step in Education
- Career Guides
- Blog
Part of Western Governors University
CAREER GUIDE IT Management Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
Start on your path today.
Career guide: information technology (IT) or systems manager
Jump to: Career Opportunities Work Environment Salary Stats Go to: IT Management – B.S. Business Administration
Over the next 10 years, qualified information technology (IT) and systems managers can count on consistently strong demand, attractive salaries, and excellent job security. Today, organizations of all types are working to navigate today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape, and they need qualified IT professionals with strong business management skills to help them stay ahead of the curve and meet their short- and long-term technology goals. In addition, the rapidly growing number of sophisticated cyber threats and attacks means organizations are placing a higher priority on protecting their digital information and assets. A bachelor’s degree in IT management from an accredited university opens doors to a range of entry-level IT management positions and provides a strong foundation for additional IT and business education and career advancement.
Job listing growth 2016–2026.
Career opportunities.
IT managers are responsible for directing a wide range of business-critical technology projects, which translates directly into consistently high demand and attractive salaries. Most successful IT managers combine strong technology aptitude and training with solid business skills, which they use to manage teams of cross-functional IT professionals. A bachelor’s degree in IT management meets the minimum requirements for most entry-level IT management positions, although many IT managers choose to pursue an advanced degree—such as a master’s degree in IT management or a master’s of business administration (MBA)—to open up additional career options.
Positions in the field.
- Information systems manager
- IT project manager
- IT security manager
- IT director
- Computer systems engineer
- Computer systems analyst
- Chief technology officer
- Chief information officer
"Education is a lifelong process. WGU makes it convenient, attainable, and affordable to achieve the goal of continuing education." David Nunziato
MBA IT Management
Job market forecast.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong, consistent demand for IT management positions through 2026, with a 12% growth rate that handily outpaces the average for other occupations. As organizations continue to move their operations to more advanced digital platforms, they will need more qualified IT and systems managers to direct and implement their new technology programs and systems. Organizations will also look to hire more IT and security managers as they work to protect their information and systems from an ever-increasing number of advanced cyber threats.
Job growth 2016–2026.
Online. Nonprofit. Surprisingly affordable.
Discover why WGU is an ideal university to pursue your unique career goals.
Work environment.
In 2016, there were approximately 367,600 computer and information systems managers working in the United States across a diverse range of organizations and industries—from giant technology and telecommunications companies to healthcare organizations and managed services firms. Most IT and systems managers work full time in a traditional office environment, and they are generally responsible for supervising teams of functional IT professionals. Working as an IT manager can be stressful and may involve working long hours—especially when problems arise or key technology systems go down. In 2016, about one in three IT managers reported working more than 40 hours per week on average.
Where is the biggest demand for IT and systems managers?
According to the Robert Half 2016 Salary Guide for Technology Professionals, senior-level IT managers are in perpetually high demand—with many organizations struggling to find candidates with the right qualification. Demand tends to be especially high in the following areas:
- Financial services providers looking to provide more advanced and reliable online banking and brokerage services for their customers.
- Healthcare organizations that are embracing new technologies to meet strict regulatory demands and improve the quality of patient care.
- Telecommunications companies that are dealing with relentless customer demand for better and faster connectivity, new devices, and more advanced services.
- Managed service providers that are filling a variety of day-to-day IT needs for their customers—from cloud-based storage to network management.
Professional organizations.
Information technology is a diverse field with many professional organizations that can help you get a better sense for the profession. Use these resources to decide whether a bachelor’s degree in IT management is right for you.
Job search resources.
Wondering what today’s IT management job market looks like? Check out these resources for more information about current openings, opportunities, and salaries.
Salary stats.
In May 2017, computer and information systems managers in the United States earned a median salary of $139,220. The best-paid people in the field brought home more than $208,000, while the lowest-paid still earned a respectable $83,860. Many of the highest-paying IT manager jobs are located in San Jose, San Francisco, and New York City. With additional experience, training, and education, IT and systems managers can also move into a variety of executive roles, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Security Officer.
Average salary of jobs with related titles.
Summary.
IT and system managers help thousands of organizations leverage technology to become more efficient, nimble, and competitive. With strong demand, excellent salaries, and good opportunities for advancement, IT management can offer people with an interest in both technology and business management a rich and rewarding career. To pursue a successful IT or systems management career, you should start by earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology or systems management from a respected, accredited institution.
Your career’s next step: Earn a degree.
Ready to jump-start your career in IT Management? The next step could be earning your B.S. Business — Information Technology Management. Accredited, competency-based WGU offers this degree online for at a surprisingly affordable flat-rate tuition. Flexible enough for a working adult’s schedule with the option to accelerate, your degree may be closer than you think!