Finance & Management SOC 11-3021 Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparation ● 2026 BLS Empirical Benchmark

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

National Median Wage
$175,140 / yr
$84.20 / hour
National Employment 583,040 Reported BLS Workforce
Highest-Paying State District of Columbia $195,190 / yr Median
Top Metro Market San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $291,660 / yr Median

National Wage Percentile Spectrum

Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).

Spread Delta (P90 - P10) $189,960 / yr
10th (Entry) $107,550 $51.71/hr
25th (Junior) $138,060 $66.38/hr
50th (Median) $175,140 $84.20/hr
75th (Senior) $220,730 $106.12/hr
90th (Master) $297,510 $143.03/hr

Nationwide State Salary Rankings

State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.

Rank State Median Salary Hourly Rate CoL Adjusted Real Wage Total Employed Top Metro in State CoL Index
#1 District of Columbia DC $195,190 $93.84/hr $122,838 20,800 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 158.9
#2 Colorado CO $184,602 $88.75/hr $157,510 10,800 Boulder, CO 117.2
#3 Massachusetts MA $180,696 $86.88/hr $138,147 22,720 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 130.8
#4 California CA $179,773 $86.43/hr $123,386 84,050 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 145.7
#5 New Hampshire NH $175,530 $84.39/hr $153,167 1,470 Manchester-Nashua, NH 114.6
#6 Connecticut CT $175,288 $84.28/hr $138,787 9,180 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT 126.3
#7 New Jersey NJ $174,826 $84.06/hr $148,032 2,750 Trenton-Princeton, NJ 118.1
#8 Rhode Island RI $171,220 $82.32/hr $153,974 1,600 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 111.2

Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings

High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.

19,070 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,778/mo
$291,660 / yr median
$140.22 / hour
23,830 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $3,003/mo
$232,890 / yr median
$111.97 / hour
62,430 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,729/mo
$215,300 / yr median
$103.51 / hour
20,530 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,518/mo
$214,960 / yr median
$103.35 / hour
13,170 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,180/mo
$214,680 / yr median
$103.21 / hour
700 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,711/mo
$207,760 / yr median
$99.89 / hour

Career Ladder & Progression Stages

Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.

Senior IT Analyst0-2 Years
$107,600

Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field

IT Team Lead2-5 Years
$138,100

Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities

IT Manager5-9 Years
$175,100

Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team

Director of IT9-14 Years
$220,700

Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program

Chief Information Officer14+ Years
$297,500

Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession

Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities

Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.

Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions

Computer and Information Systems Managers Salaries & Wage Percentiles Overview

Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Computer and Information Systems Managers. Official 2026 economic data for Computer and Information Systems Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
What is the national median salary for Computer and Information Systems Managers in 2026?

National compensation benchmarks for Computer and Information Systems Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.

Computer and Information Systems Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest

The national median for Computer and Information Systems Managers is $175,140 per year ($84.20/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 381 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $104,990 in Lawton, OK to $291,660 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.

Top-paying metropolitan areas for Computer and Information Systems Managers

Metropolitan areaMedian annual wageVs national
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$291,660+66.5%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$232,890+33.0%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$215,300+22.9%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$214,960+22.7%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$214,680+22.6%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$207,760+18.6%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$206,740+18.0%
Boulder, CO$206,260+17.8%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$204,370+16.7%
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$203,340+16.1%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$201,440+15.0%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$198,770+13.5%