Corporate careers for majors in Computer Information Systems continue to be strong and varied. The jobs and salaries reach far beyond programming. Entrepreneurs will also emerge through many similar roles over time in their own companies. These are careers specific to information systems majors. Like other business majors, there many additional opportunities in general management leading to other executive positions up to, and including, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
This is a primary career field for CIS majors in a business school: planning, directing, or coordinating information systems, systems analysis, project management, and computer system development. Learn more by reading the profiles of senior IT managers.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Information Systems | $175,129 (and up) |
| Chief Technology Officer | $161,294 (and up) |
| Director of Systems Development | $154,191 (and up) |
| Director of E-Commerce | $150,937 (and up) |
| Chief Security Officer | $156,463 (and up) |
| Internet Technology Strategist | $119,376 (and up) |
| Director of IT Operations | $113,301 (and up) |
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Product Manager | $200,429 |
| Information Security Manager | $200,918 |
| Application Development Manager | $105,916 |
| Database Manager | $97,161 |
| Project Manager | $94,370 |
| Data Warehousing Manager | $116,462 |
| Internet/Intranet Manager | $87,674 |
| E-Commerce Manager | $109,030 |
| IT Manager | $85,707 |
| Communications Manager | $90,117 |
| Computer Operations Manager | $79,462 |
| Network Manager | $76,914 |
| Help Desk/Technical Support Manager | $75,382 |
These are the entry-level and career path positions leading to information systems management positions for CIS majors. Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, and Information Technology majors compete for many of these positions, but the preparation is different. CIS focuses on business application and has stronger business knowledge with an aim to promote rapidly from these staff areas into management positions. CS and IT aim more for the advanced staff positions.
Systems analysts are the architects and project leaders of an information system. It is their job to develop solutions to users' problems, determine the technical and operational feasibility of their solutions, as well as estimate the costs to develop and implement them.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Project Leader | $83,050 |
| Information Security Specialist | $81,2008 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $73,421 |
| Technology/Business Analyst | $72,362 |
| Analyst/Programmer | $68,555 |
Coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement the database applying knowledge of database management systems. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Database Architect | $105,088 |
| Database Administrator | $83,745 |
| Storage Administrator | $93,458 |
| Database Developer | $72,788 |
| Database Analyst | $66,917 |
Install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet system or a segment of a network system. Maintain network hardware and software. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May supervise other network support and client server specialists and plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Network Architect | $92,800 |
| Network Manager | $77,957 |
| Network Engineer | $74,319 |
| Network Administrator | $55,070 |
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Systems Architect | $101,308 |
| Project Leader | $83,050 |
| Software Developer | $78,218 |
| Programmer/Analyst | $68,555 |
| Web Master | $55,225 |
Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
| Job Titles | Compensation* |
| Messaging/E-Mail/Groupware Specialist | $77,717 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist | $66,900 |
| eCommerce Specialist | $72,359 |
| Technical Trainer | $66,626 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist | $69,900 |
| Help Desk Specialist | $48,482 |
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