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The differences between computer administrators and systems administrator leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer administrator and a systems administrator lead. Additionally, a systems administrator lead has an average salary of $99,956, which is higher than the $86,150 average annual salary of a computer administrator.
The top three skills for a computer administrator include CAD, troubleshoot and printers. The most important skills for a systems administrator lead are linux, project management, and windows server.
| Computer Administrator | Systems Administrator Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $86,150 | $99,956 |
| Hourly rate | $41.42 | $48.06 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 88,405 | 132,285 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer administrators oversee the daily operation of computer networks. These administrators manage the configuration and upkeep of such networks, including updating equipment and software and identifying and resolving issues. They determine what an organization requires in both a network and a computer system before setting it up and configuring it. Also, they are responsible for all installation tasks, recording data, evaluating problems identified by users, and making various troubleshooting attempts to solve them. The skills that they must excel in are technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
A systems administrator lead is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing procedures for critical enterprise systems. Typical duties of systems administrators include managing the day-to-day operations of a company's computer and network systems, developing new application and system implementation plans, and establishing guidelines for installing and managing the organization's computer operating systems. In addition, you are expected to ensure the security of computer systems by preventing unauthorized use, user abuse, and acts of nature.
Computer administrators and systems administrator leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Administrator | Systems Administrator Lead | |
| Average salary | $86,150 | $99,956 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $118,000 | Between $77,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Kabam | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a computer administrator and a systems administrator lead in terms of educational background:
| Computer Administrator | Systems Administrator Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer administrators' and systems administrator leads' demographics:
| Computer Administrator | Systems Administrator Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.4% Female, 27.6% | Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 10.3% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |