Master’s In Information Technology: Salaries by Region and Position

If you’re looking at a possible career in information technology and are wondering how to get the most out of your experience, then you’ll want to consider the benefits of earning your master’s degree in IT.

An advanced degree can provide you with specialization within an IT field, allowing you to focus your studies and build experience in areas you find most interesting. Master’s degree programs can also build up your leadership expertise — making you a more viable candidate for senior-level positions and higher salaries.

Read on to learn more about how a master’s degree in IT can advance your career and discover which variables will most affect your salary.

Get Your Free Guide on Selecting a Master’s Degree Program that Fits Your Career: 9 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Information Technology Leadership Master’s Degree >>

The Need for Information Technology Professionals

The need for IT professionals across all industries continues to grow at a steady rate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has positive projections for information technology job opportunities forecasting that employment from 2022 to 2032 will grow by:

The growth for these computer science and IT careers is much faster than the projected 0.3% average annual growth for all occupations. This translates to a projected 217,600 job openings every year across all of these positions over the next decade. While there is a lot of opportunity within the IT field, its popularity means there’s also heavy competition for positions – so it’s important to find a way that you can stand out as a job candidate.

The Importance of Education When it Comes to IT Management

When it comes to positioning yourself as a stand-out candidate for IT positions, you can promote your prior experience, your level of education or a combination of both.

According to the BLS, STEM occupations such as computer systems analyst and computer programmer will often provide a wage premium for master’s degree holders. In addition, firms and organizations often prefer to hire IT managers who have master’s degrees.

This preference comes from an increasing need for competent managers who can specialize in certain IT areas, such as cloud computing, data analysis, data storage and information security systems, in addition to having at least a basic understanding of how these areas relate to each other in the business world.

Any accredited master’s degree program in information technology management should be geared towards providing the knowledge and skills necessary for taking a managerial role in information technology. Depending on the focus, some degrees may also teach business management skills and can be beneficial for positions that require expertise in administration.

Earning a master’s degree that covers both management and IT disciplines can provide a framework for managing an information technology team, making you a strong candidate for a high-paying job. The actual degree requirements will depend on the program and the areas that you would like to focus on. Possible relevant programs include an MBA in IT, a Master of Science in IT or a Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership.

Information Technology Management Salaries

Higher-paying positions are often those that require specialized skills and knowledge, even when a position is open to any level of degree, the candidate with the higher level degree will usually be hired. Data from the BLS showed that, where an average worker aged 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree would earn over $77,000 per year, the average master’s degree holder would earn over $90,000 per year.

All salaries are offered in a range of pay, which will vary depending on location, industry and level of experience. Education is considered to be one of the variables, and when comparing the average salary of those with a bachelor’s degree vs. those with a master’s the results can be rather significant.

Salaries below are sourced from Payscale, ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor. Amounts are estimates based on the level of education as listed on these sites as of July 2024. Actual salaries will vary based on level of experience and geographic location.

Get Your Guide: How To Choose An Online Master’s Degree (w/ Free Program Comparison Worksheet)

Why Information Technology Job Salaries Fluctuate

It’s important to remember that outside of a job candidate’s background and experience, all salaries and employment opportunities fluctuate due to multiple factors, mainly:

Information technology salaries will vary based on the job responsibilities, time commitments, and pay scales relative to that specific industry. For example, a 2023 BLS review* of salaries paid to “computer and information systems managers” found that salaries for that position varied significantly across different industries:

Geographic location is also an important factor, as areas with flourishing industries that are dependent on IT will have more positions available, local businesses can afford to pay more to fill those jobs and the higher competition can drive up salaries. Conversely, metropolitan areas will carry a higher cost of living compared to non-metropolitan areas. Here’s how the annual mean wages* compare according to the BLS:

The 2023 BLS study also compared the annual mean wage of computer and information systems managers across different U.S. states* as a whole:

* To find the statistical values not listed on the bls.gov summary page, use the query system at the following link and enter your desired search type: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System.

Of course, the company itself will greatly determine the salary range of a position. A company’s size will play a role, as larger corporations have access to more capital and can make higher offers. Some salaries may also be matched with certain benefits, such as insurance, perks or stock options. The following is a list of openings for computer and information systems managers, featuring a selection of companies from different industries and locations.

Job opening and salary ranges sourced from Glassdoor as of July 2024.

How to Increase Your Information Technology Salary

Companies prefer spending money on things that can provide a good return on investment, so you need to present confidence that you can bring the skills and knowledge that they’re looking for. Beyond your working experience, there are additional steps you can take to present yourself as the most attractive candidate.

Obtain a postgraduate degree to specialize in your chosen area:

Research and build the essential skills needed for IT leadership roles, which can include:

Obtain relevant and respected IT certifications to further bolster specific knowledge:

Obtain specialized skills related to web development and/or database administration:

Get Your Guide: How To Choose An Online Master’s Degree (w/ Free Program Comparison Worksheet) >>

Consider Your Career Goals to Determine Your Education Path

While higher salaries can be a measure of success, they may not be worthwhile if you’re committed to a career path that you find to be frustrating or unfulfilling. An advanced degree can give you the perspective and insights to secure a career path where you’ll be well-compensated and fulfilled. The most important factor is that you’ll go further and achieve greater success if you pursue an education path that you feel passionate about. 

If you’re interested in being purely a software designer or engineer, consider an MS in IT Management program. However, if you want a higher-level leadership position (and potentially a higher salary), then consider a program in IT leadership, such as the University of San Diego’s MS in Information Technology Leadership. MS-ITL prepares IT professionals like you for leadership in a wide range of IT positions, including Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), IT Director and more.

The program combines technological knowledge with leadership skills, enabling graduates to manage cross-functional teams effectively, make informed decisions and implement IT strategies. Earning this advanced degree can give professionals a competitive advantage, facilitate faster career progression and lead to higher salary opportunities.

For a deeper dive on how to start your IT journey, download the eBook 9 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Information Technology Leadership Master’s Degree.