Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between applications support engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an applications support engineer, becoming a systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an applications support engineer has an average salary of $89,928, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for an applications support engineer include java, application support and database. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Applications Support Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,928 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $43.23 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 222,780 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An applications support engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the application and network systems to support business operations and functions. Applications support engineers work on the installation of updates, upgrade system infrastructure, and resolve technical process issues and gaps. They also analyze the condition of existing applications and modify procedures to improve stability and configuration. An applications support engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to identify failure sources and create resolution manuals to prevent downtime reoccurrence.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Applications support engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Support Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,928 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $120,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | ICE Mortgage Technology | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an applications support engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Support Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between applications support engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Applications Support Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |