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IT manager salary levels have suffered in this economic downturn just like salaries for many other positions. Most IT managers’ salaries have been flat to modestly down, as shown by the IT salary data below.
Okay, that’s the bad news. The good news is that IT manager salary levels continue to be healthy. Upper five figures for the average IT manager salaries shown here, trending toward (or exceeding) six figures given bonuses and higher wages in areas like Silicon Valley and New York.
Okay, you might argue that an IT manager living in those areas needs a higher salary just to stay even – good point. You might also argue that, since IT managers shoulder so much stress-inducing responsibilities, they, again, need a higher salary to compensate. Again, good point.
At any rate, realize the IT manager salary numbers listed below are national averages for large companies. They may vary significantly based on an IT manager’s specialty, experience, industry and general level of luck.
Two sources of IT manager salary data: Salary data in this first list is courtesy of Janco, Inc. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see IT manager salary data from Robert Half Technology.
Data courtesy Janco:
IT Manager – Database
2009:
Base salary: $95,429
Total compensation: $98,683
2010:
Base salary: $95,244
Total compensation: $98,552
% Change: -0.13%
IT Manager – Data Warehouse
2009:
Base salary: $88,345
Total compensation: $93,836
2010:
Base salary: $88,678
Total compensation: $93,965
% Change: 0.14%
Project Manager – Distributed Systems
2009:
Base salary: $95,658
Total compensation: $106,752
2010:
Base salary: $96,161
Total compensation: $106,759
% Change: 0.01%
IT Manager – Network Services
2009:
Base salary: $82,266
Total compensation: $86,914
2010:
Base salary: $82,724
Total compensation: $87,397
% Change: 0.56%
IT Manager – Quality Control
2009:
Base salary: $72,195
Total compensation: $76,630
2010:
Base salary: $72,217
Total compensation: $76,065
% Change: -0.74%
IT Manager – Systems and Programming
2009:
Base salary: $97,995
Total compensation: $101,817
2010:
Base salary: $97,710
Total compensation: $101,679
% Change: -0.14%
IT Manager – Training and Documentation
2009:
Base salary: $73,039
Total compensation: $77,562
2010:
Base salary: $72,705
Total compensation: $101,940
% Change: -0.69%
Project Manager – Network Technical Services
2009:
Base salary: $89,258
Total compensation: $93,078
2010:
Base salary: $89,473
Total compensation: $93,210
% Change: 0.14%
IT Manager – Application Development
2009:
Base salary: $78,426
Total compensation: $79,169
2010:
Base salary: $77,928
Total compensation: $78,757
% Change: -0.52%
IT Manager – Voice and Data Communications
2009:
Base salary: $91,704
Total compensation: $97,789
2010:
Base salary: $91,374
Total compensation: $97,362
% Change: -0.44%
Project Manager – Applications
2009:
Base salary: $94,472
Total compensation: $103,108
2010:
Base salary: $94,852
Total compensation: $104,129
% Change: 0.99%
IT Salary: IT Manager
IT Manager – Computer Operations
2009:
Base salary: $84,472
Total compensation: $90,833
2010:
Base salary: $84,317
Total compensation: $90,559
% Change: -0.30%
IT Manager – Production Support
2009:
Base salary: $73,157
Total compensation: $75,968
2010:
Base salary: $75,906
Total compensation: $79,885
% Change: 5.16%
IT Manager – Security and Workstations
2009:
Base salary: $89,314
Total compensation: $93,547
2010:
Base salary: $87,779
Total compensation: $91,894
% Change: -1.77%
IT Manager – Internet Systems
2009:
Base salary: $82,923
Total compensation: $84,940
2010:
Base salary: $82,966
Total compensation: $85,006
% Change: 0.08%
IT Manager – Technical Services
2009:
Base salary: $96,015
Total compensation: $102,425
2010:
Base salary: $95,584
Total compensation: $101,940
% Change: -0.47%
IT Manager – Operating Systems Production
2009:
Base salary: $84,500
Total compensation: $87,796
2010:
Base salary: $88,940
Total compensation: $93,413
% Change: 6.40%
Salary data courtesy of Robert Half:
Job Title: Information Technology Manager
2010 average salary range: $85,750 – $124,250.
The 2010 salary range is a decrease of 2.4% under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $88,750 – $126,500.
• The 2009 salary range is an increase of 3.1% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $86,750 – $122,000.
Also see: List of 2010 IT salary levels
Note:Since these IT salary levels are national averages, adjust them based on your area of the country.
Salary levels are – approximately – 10% to 30% higher in the Northeast; about average in the South Atlantic (Florida to Delaware); average to modestly lower in the Midwest, Mountain west, and South; and 5% to 30% higher on the West coast.
IT salaries in large metropolitan areas are higher than the national average. For instance, in the following cities they are:
• Boston: 30% higher
• Stamford: 31% higher
• New York, NY: 41% higher
• Washington, DC: 30% higher
• Philadelphia: 15% higher
• Atlanta: 15% higher
• Miami/Fort Lauderdale: 10% higher
• Chicago: 23% higher
• Dallas/Houston: 5-6% higher
• Irvine: 24% higher
• Los Angeles: 24% higher
• San Diego: 14% higher
• San Francisco: 35% higher
• San Jose: 32% higher
• Seattle: 18% higher
