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The differences between computer administrators and systems engineers 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 engineer. Additionally, a computer administrator has an average salary of $86,150, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a computer administrator include CAD, troubleshoot and printers. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Computer Administrator | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $86,150 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $41.42 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 88,405 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| 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.
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.
Computer administrators and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Administrator | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $86,150 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $118,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a computer administrator and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Administrator | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between computer administrators' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Computer Administrator | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.4% Female, 27.6% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 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 | 9% | 8% |