Computer and Information Systems Managers vs Human Resources Managers: $175K vs $149K Median Pay

Computer and Information Systems Managers vs Human Resources Managers: what changes?

Consider Computer and Information Systems Managers if you want to plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming. Consider Human Resources Managers if you would rather plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for Computer and Information Systems Managers (5 years or more) and Human Resources Managers (5 years or more).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer and Information Systems Managers and Human Resources Managers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer and Information Systems Managers

National median pay (2025): $175,140
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more
Prior related experience: Prior related experience: 5 years or more.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 53,500

Know before you choose

BLS lists 5 years or more of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Computer and Information Systems Managers brief

Human Resources Managers

National median pay (2025): $149,280
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more
Prior related experience: Prior related experience: 5 years or more.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 16,800

Know before you choose

BLS lists 5 years or more of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Human Resources Managers brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on projected growth

Computer and Information Systems Managers is at 15.8% projected growth, compared with 5.5% projected growth for Human Resources Managers.

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on annual openings

Computer and Information Systems Managers is at 53,500 annual openings, compared with 16,800 annual openings for Human Resources Managers.

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on median pay

Computer and Information Systems Managers is at $175,140, compared with $149,280 for Human Resources Managers.

84.2/ 100

Computer and Information Systems Managers

73.5/ 100

Human Resources Managers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer and Information Systems Managers vs Human Resources Managers

Dimension	Computer and Information Systems Managers	Human Resources Managers
Median pay (2025)	$175,140	$149,280
Pay percentile	96.9 percentile	95.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	15.8%	5.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	53,500	16,800
2025 employment	685,800	224,900
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more	Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: 5 years or more
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	Prior related experience: 5 years or more.	Prior related experience: 5 years or more.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer and Information Systems Managers brief Read Human Resources Managers brief

Computer and Information Systems Managers vs Human Resources Managers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Human Resources Managers

How the national numbers differ

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on projected growth

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on annual openings

Computer and Information Systems Managers has the edge on median pay

Computer and Information Systems Managers vs Human Resources Managers

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