All careersTech

IT Manager

$171,200
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Plan and direct an organization's computer systems, lead the tech team, and align technology with business goals.

Where you work

Offices, often with remote flexibility

The hours

Full-time, on call during outages

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$171,200
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~55,600
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+15%
Much faster than average
Working in the U.S.
667,100
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Bachelor's degree

Training path: Bachelor's degree, plus experience.

License or certification

No license required to start in most places.

What it takes

Team leadershipSystems planningBudgetingProblem-solving

The honest take

A well-paid destination, not a starting point — most arrive after years in support, networks, or development.

Standard Occupational Classification 11-3021. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.