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The differences between computer administrators and unix systems administrators 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 unix systems administrator. Additionally, a unix systems administrator has an average salary of $87,936, 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 unix systems administrator are production servers, solaris, and database.
| Computer Administrator | Unix Systems Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $86,150 | $87,936 |
| Hourly rate | $41.42 | $42.28 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 88,405 | 110,185 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
UNIX system administrators install, configure, and maintain the UNIX systems of organizations. The administrators are in charge of the troubleshooting of server errors. They install new system hardware for their respective organizations and respond to the issues raised by the users. It is part of their job to monitor the network's performance. Usually, they are working in an office using UNIX multiuser operating system. They supervise the execution of data conversion projects such as database hardware replacements.
Computer administrators and unix systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Administrator | Unix Systems Administrator | |
| Average salary | $86,150 | $87,936 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $118,000 | Between $64,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | PayPal | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer administrator and a unix systems administrator in terms of educational background:
| Computer Administrator | Unix Systems Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between computer administrators' and unix systems administrators' demographics:
| Computer Administrator | Unix Systems Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.4% Female, 27.6% | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |