Computer systems administrator vs systems administrator lead

The differences between computer systems 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 systems administrator and a systems administrator lead. Additionally, a systems administrator lead has an average salary of $99,956, which is higher than the $72,247 average annual salary of a computer systems administrator.

The top three skills for a computer systems administrator include computer system, linux and customer service. The most important skills for a systems administrator lead are linux, project management, and windows server.

Computer systems administrator vs systems administrator lead overview

	Computer Systems Administrator	Systems Administrator Lead
Yearly salary	$72,247	$99,956
Hourly rate	$34.73	$48.06
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	136,907	132,285
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a computer systems administrator do?

Computer systems administrators are responsible for organizing and installing a company's computer system, including the WAN, LAN, and other data for communication. They gather information from the users to determine where to improve and troubleshoot hardware and software issues. These administrators ensure that the system they design for a company meets the needs of their users. They maintain the security of their systems and provide technical support for projects. They mainly administer a company's network, database, and security systems.

What does a systems administrator lead do?

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 systems administrator vs systems administrator lead salary

Computer systems administrators and systems administrator leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Systems Administrator	Systems Administrator Lead
Average salary	$72,247	$99,956
Salary range	Between $53,000 And $97,000	Between $77,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	Kabam
Best paying industry	Technology	Telecommunication

Differences between computer systems administrator and systems administrator lead education

There are a few differences between a computer systems administrator and a systems administrator lead in terms of educational background:

	Computer Systems Administrator	Systems Administrator Lead
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Computer systems administrator vs systems administrator lead demographics

Here are the differences between computer systems administrators' and systems administrator leads' demographics:

	Computer Systems Administrator	Systems Administrator Lead
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 82.7% Female, 17.3%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 64.0% 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%

Differences between computer systems administrator and systems administrator lead duties and responsibilities

Computer systems administrator example responsibilities.

Create SNP pipeline script in Perl to automate SNP prediction.
Manage static IP address reservations in the corporate and DHCP in the production network.
Manage a mix facility of IBM and DEC mainframe computers, VAX super-mini computers and PDP-11 mini computers.
Design, install, configure and manage Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop environment.
Manage & monitor database servers and perform weekly/monthly data backup schedules and recovery strategies.
Convert manual offices to computerize environment using standalone PCs and UNIX systems.

Systems administrator lead example responsibilities.

Manage all Citrix user connections and issues, print network, server environment and supplies.
Manage printers on the print servers and re-serve IP addresses for devices from the DHCP servers.
Manage software development group SharePoint portal.
Save company many hours of manual testing and developing by engineering Java applications to automate tedious tasks.
Manage development, manufacturing, test and delivery of custom broadband RF electronic test systems for military and aerospace customers.
Perform day-to-day management of system applications and services (NTP, DNS, LDAP, etc .).

Computer systems administrator vs systems administrator lead skills

Common computer systems administrator skills

Computer System, 12%
Linux, 8%
Customer Service, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
DOD, 4%
User Accounts, 3%

Common systems administrator lead skills

Linux, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Windows Server, 5%
System Performance, 5%
Technical Support, 5%
Database, 5%

Computer Systems Administrator vs. similar jobs

Computer Systems Administrator related careers

Computer Systems Administrator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Computer and Mathematical Industry
Computer Systems Administrator
Computer Systems Administrator vs Systems Administrator Lead

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs