About the CIS Department

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).

Information Systems Managers

This is a primary career field for CIS majors in a business school: planning, directing, or coordinating information systems, systems analysis, electronic data processing, and computer system development.

Senior Management Positions

Job Titles

Compensation*

Chief Information Officer, Vice President of Information Systems

$162,145 (and up)

Chief Technology Officer

$159,421 (and up)

Director of Systems Development

$140,105 (and up)

Director of E-Commerce

$131,526 (and up)

Chief Security Officer

$119,986 (and up)

Internet Technology Strategist

$116,127 (and up)

Director of IT Operations

$103,204 (and up)

Middle Management Positions

Job Titles

Compensation*

Product Manager

$103,027

Information Security Manager

$102,553

Application Development Manager

$98,666

Database Manager

$97,493

Project Manager

$92,886

Data Warehousing Manager

$91,719

Internet/Intranet Manager

$91,468

E-Commerce Manager

$83,339

IT Manager

$82,851

Communications Manager

$80,005

Computer Operations Manager

$79,067

Network Manager

$72,671

Help Desk/Technical Support Manager

$71,900

Computer Information Systems Staff

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. CS provides more strength in computer machinery, networks and systems software, IT balances CS with its broad application areas.

Computer Systems Analysts

Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

Job Titles

Compensation*

Senior Systems Analyst

$80,090

Information Security Specialist

$73,207

Technology/Business Analyst

$69,651

Systems Analyst

$61,217

Database Administrators

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

$92,204

Database Administrator

$81,710

Database Developer

$70,102

Database Analysts

$64,151

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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

$83,590

Network Engineer

$72,720

Systems Administrator

$64,925

Network Administrator

$53,644

Computer Software Engineers, Applications

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

$85,299

Software Engineer

$81,150

Messaging/E-Mail/Groupware Specialist

$71,552

Quality Assurance Specialist

$66,166

E-Commerce Specialist

$61,091

Computer Support Specialists

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.

Computer Programmers

Convert project specifications and statements of problems and procedures to detailed logical flow charts for coding into computer language. Develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information. May program web sites.

*Compensation is the total of average salary plus average bonus according to a survey conducted in May-July 2004, as reported in Computerworld 38 (4) pp. 49-58, October 25, 2004.

Graph of Computer Occupations Unemployment-PDF format

Richard Baskerville
Professor, Computer Information Systems
Robinson College of Business
Georgia State University

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