MIS Manager Employment Outlook and Salary Expectations

Occupational Outlook for MIS Managers

According to the 2006–07 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment prospects of computer and information systems managers are expected to expand at a faster rate than most occupations through 2014, as technological advancements continue to boost the employment of computer-related workers. Furthermore, the demand for managers to direct these workers will also increase, since managers must possess greater technical expertise to supervise such roles. As older managers without a technical background retire or move to new positions, opportunities for obtaining a management role will be further strengthened. Job prospects are strongest for individuals who possess both computer-related work experience and an MBA with technology as a core component, or a Management Information Systems degree.

The pairing of an MBA with technological knowledge highlights an important and sometimes unexpected asset: the merging of two very different disciplines — the social and the natural sciences — can significantly benefit a job-seeker. This combination signals to employers both managerial competence and technical fluency, a rare pairing that commands considerable value in the labor market. The Handbook also addresses the notable finding that, despite the economic downturn in the technology sector after 2001, the outlook for IT managers remains strong. Firms still need to keep their technology updated in order to remain competitive. In other words, even an economic slump may be weathered by Management Information Systems specialists, making the field relatively resilient compared to other technology-related occupations.