Who’s Who in the IT Hierarchy
Hardware, software, networks, systems – knowing who does what in IT can be as complex as the technology they work with. Don’t let that stop you from learning more about this dynamic field! Below are the basic roles that make up a typical IT department set up in a hierarchical fashion.
Source for this info: https://www.hierarchystructure.com/it-management-hierarchy/
Top Level
IT Director
About Me:
“Call me the Big Boss in IT.”
Plans, organizes, and administers all IT functions. Also directs operations to meet customer requirements and organizational goals, maintains and upgrades infrastructure and develops new technology solutions.
Sometimes this role is filled by a CIO or Vice President of IT.
Average salary: $114,839
Experience level:
Senior, the majority people in this position (83 percent) have 10 years or more on the job.
Education required:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or a related field, as well as prior experience in directing and managing staff and departments. (1)
Middle Level
Information Security Manager
About me:
“If you click on that link, I’ll have to escort you from the building.”
Manages security of networks and infrastructure, prevents and responds to incidents and breaches.
Average salary: $109,348
Experience level:
Mid to senior, 73 percent of people in this position have been there 5 to 19 years.
Education required:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer security or a related field, additional security related certificates are sometimes preferred. (2)
IT Project Manager
About me:
“I’m always keeping IT on track.”
Plans and manages IT projects, develops project plans, estimates resources and staff needed, manages budgets and writes project administration documents.
Average salary: $85,808
Experience level:
Senior, 49 percent of people in this position have 10 years or more on the job.
Education required:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in information technology, computer science or related field, some positions require project management professional certification or similar. (3)
Information Systems Manager
About me:
“I’ll be in the server room.”
Manages network and server functionality and security, disaster recovery and preparation.
Average salary: $82,065
Experience level:
Senior, 59 percent of people in this position have 10 years or more on the job.
Education required:
Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or related field, master’s degree may be preferred. (4)
Entry Level
IT Administrators/Analysts (Includes systems administrators, network administrators, systems analysts)
About me:
“Can’t talk, network upgrades in progress!”
Maintains, updates, upgrades and troubleshoots networks, software and hardware. Also optimizes performance and productivity of network and other IT resources.
Average salary: $56,513 – $64,429
Experience level:
Entry to mid, 64 percent of people in this position have between one and nine years of experience.
Education required:
Educational and experience requirements vary depending on the organization and position. Some positions may require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another relevant field, although others may require an associate degree. (5 – 7)
IT Engineer (includes software engineers, hardware engineers, systems engineers)
About me:
“Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Provides technical support, sets up and troubleshoots computer hardware, software, networks and systems.
Average salary: $68,140 – $85,182
Experience level:
Entry to mid, 58 percent of people in this position have one to nine years of experience.
Education required:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or related field. (8 – 12)
The online IT degree program at Jefferson Online prepares students for careers in all facets of IT. Common roles filled by IT graduates include database managers, networking and programming engineers, information security analyst and project management coordinators.
Sources:
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Information_Technology_(IT)_Director
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Information_Security_Manager/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Project_Manager%2c_Information_Technology_(IT)/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=information_Systems_(IS)_Manager/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Systems_Administrator/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Network_Administrator%2C_IT/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Systems_Analyst/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=IT_Engineer/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Hardware_Engineer/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Network_Engineer/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Software_Engineer/Salary
- https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Systems_Engineer/Salary