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Information technology director: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$175,140median pay per year, or $84.20 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $107,550lowest 10% earn less
  2. $138,06025th percentile
  3. $175,140median
  4. $220,73075th percentile
  5. $297,510top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Computer and information systems managers had a median pay of $175,140 a year in May 2025[1]. The typical path is a bachelor's degree plus 5 years or more of related work, and jobs are projected to grow 15.8% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+15.8%[3]
Openings per year
53,500[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do information technology directors make?

The official BLS category is Computer and Information Systems Managers. In May 2025 the median wage was $175,140 a year, or $84.20 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $192,160 a year, or $92.39 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

The range is wide:

Point Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $107,550
25th percentile[4] $138,060
Median[1] $175,140
75th percentile[4] $220,730
90th percentile[4] $297,510

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $107,550[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. Hourly wages ran from $51.71 at the 10th percentile to $143.03 at the 90th[9].

These wages cover full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[10]. About 670,570 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median annual wage at $218,290[12]. Massachusetts ($214,960), New York ($214,300), Washington ($209,370) and New Jersey ($203,460) followed[12].

California also had the most jobs at 94,720[13]. Texas (73,060), New York (48,050), Florida (35,040) and New Jersey (34,470) came next[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $291,660[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($232,890) and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ($215,300) came next[14]. The New York area also had the most jobs, 62,430[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$218,29094,720
Massachusetts$214,96024,910
New York$214,30048,050
Washington$209,37016,960
New Jersey$203,46034,470
Virginia$201,49017,550
Colorado$199,42011,510
District of Columbia$195,1905,690
New Hampshire$176,5403,810
Minnesota$176,38010,970
Oregon$175,2707,440
Georgia$173,94018,560
North Carolina$172,86025,650
Connecticut$171,75010,570
Illinois$171,73031,680
Texas$171,53073,060
Maryland$171,49014,620
Delaware$168,5002,140
Florida$168,47035,040
Rhode Island$167,2701,210
Arizona$166,43014,270
Nevada$165,0003,610
Kansas$164,8304,050
Pennsylvania$163,91027,060
Michigan$163,76016,010
Ohio$163,64019,500
Utah$163,6108,810
Idaho$162,2401,950
South Dakota$162,240380
South Carolina$160,8604,930
Maine$160,2601,450
Wisconsin$160,1408,880
Missouri$159,46011,130
Tennessee$158,70012,040
North Dakota$149,130850
Iowa$143,7803,920
Indiana$142,0408,060
Hawaii$141,6401,200
Kentucky$140,3603,130
West Virginia$139,8201,100
Alabama$138,6707,670
Vermont$138,4601,100
New Mexico$137,7301,500
Oklahoma$137,2803,790
Nebraska$135,7805,070
Alaska$133,490970
Montana$132,8601,180
Louisiana$127,5002,860
Arkansas$127,2203,420
Mississippi$124,2801,710
Wyoming$120,850330

How to become an information technology director

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[2]. It also lists 5 years or more of work in a related occupation, and no on-the-job training[2].

Senior jobs such as chief technology officer or IT director usually call for many years of IT experience[18]. Some employers want experience in their own industry. A hospital IT director, for example, may need healthcare experience[20].

Certification is typically optional, though some employers prefer it[21]. It may matter more for managers who oversee IT security[22].

In an O*NET survey of 26 workers, 48% said a bachelor's degree is required, 26% said some college courses, and 14% said a master's degree[23]. The sample is small, so read these as survey shares only.

BLS names these useful qualities: analytical thinking, clear communication, computer skills and decision-making[24][25][26][27].

What information technology directors do

O*NET describes the work as planning, directing or coordinating activity in fields such as data processing, information systems, systems analysis and programming[28]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as IT Director, IT Manager and Information Systems Manager[30].

Where they work

These managers work in many industries and usually in an office[31]. Computer systems design and related services was the largest employer in 2025, at 19% of jobs[32]. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 15.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 685,800 to 793,900 jobs[3]. That is a change of 108,100 jobs[3]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[34]. These counts include self-employed workers[3], who were 0.7% of the occupation in 2025[35].

BLS expects about 53,500 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.6% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[36].

BLS says that growing reliance on IT services supports demand for managers who plan and oversee computer hardware and software needs[37].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is far above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][5]. The entry path needs a bachelor's degree and 5 years or more of related work, so it suits people who already have IT experience or plan to build it[2]. Growth is projected at 15.8%, compared with 3.5% for all jobs[3][34]. The work centers on directing staff, projects and computer systems[28][29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an IT director make an hour?
The median was $84.20 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $92.39[1][7].
What degree do you need to be an IT director?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Some employers require or prefer a graduate degree[19].
How much experience do you need to be an IT director?
BLS lists 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation as typical[2].
Is IT management in demand?
BLS projects 15.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][34].
What is the highest paying state for IT managers?
California, with a median of $218,290 a year in May 2025[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer and Information Systems Managers in the US was $175,140 per year and $84.20 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer and Information Systems Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer and Information Systems Managers is projected to grow 15.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 685,800 to 793,900 jobs (a change of +108,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer and Information Systems Managers: 10th percentile $107,550, 25th percentile $138,060, 75th percentile $220,730, 90th percentile $297,510. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 53,500 openings for Computer and Information Systems Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer and Information Systems Managers was $192,160 per year and $92.39 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer and Information Systems Managers: 10th percentile $51.71, 25th percentile $66.38, 75th percentile $106.12, 90th percentile $143.03. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 670,570 people were employed as Computer and Information Systems Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Computer and Information Systems Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer and Information Systems Managers jobs: California 94,720; Texas 73,060; New York 48,050; Florida 35,040; New Jersey 34,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer and Information Systems Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $291,660; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $232,890; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $215,300; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $214,960; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $214,680; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $207,760; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $206,740; Boulder, CO $206,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer and Information Systems Managers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 62,430 (median $215,300); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 30,690 (median $173,810); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 24,950 (median $173,760); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 23,830 (median $232,890); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 23,180 (median $204,370); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 20,800 (median $195,190). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 11-3021.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 48%, Some College Courses 26%, Master's Degree 14%, Post-Secondary Certificate 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Computer and Information Systems Managers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Computer and Information Systems Managers. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 11-3021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Application Development Director, Computing Services Director, Data Processing Manager, Information Systems Director (IS Director), Information Systems Manager (IS Manager), Information Systems Supervisor (IS Supervisor), Information Technology Director (IT Director), Information Technology Manager (IT Manager). O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer and information systems managers in 2025: Computer systems design and related services 19%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Computer and Information Systems Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer and Information Systems Managers: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Computer and Information Systems Managers: Demand change - share increases as organizations increasingly rely on IT services, supporting an increased demand for computer and information systems managers to plan and oversee computer hardware and software needs. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.