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Computer systems designer vs senior system administrator

The differences between computer systems designers and senior system 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 systems designer and a senior system administrator. Additionally, a senior system administrator has an average salary of $98,146, which is higher than the $73,711 average annual salary of a computer systems designer.

The top three skills for a computer systems designer include sql server, control systems and PC. The most important skills for a senior system administrator are linux, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Computer systems designer vs senior system administrator overview

Computer Systems DesignerSenior System Administrator
Yearly salary$73,711$98,146
Hourly rate$35.44$47.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs114,042100,873
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Computer systems designer vs senior system administrator salary

Computer systems designers and senior system administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Systems DesignerSenior System Administrator
Average salary$73,711$98,146
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $98,000Between $75,000 And $126,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Cambridge Associates
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between computer systems designer and senior system administrator education

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

Computer Systems DesignerSenior System Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer systems designer vs senior system administrator demographics

Here are the differences between computer systems designers' and senior system administrators' demographics:

Computer Systems DesignerSenior System Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 75.3% Female, 24.7%Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 10.9% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between computer systems designer and senior system administrator duties and responsibilities

Computer systems designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage & monitor database servers and perform weekly/monthly data backup schedules and recovery strategies.
  • Install various PC hardware and software, and modify system configurations.
  • Space Command.Support include installing and configuring new PC's, printers and local area network.
  • Co-Design industry leading client/server customer service environment utilizing Hewlett Packard risc-base technologies and UNIX operating system.
  • Perform system verification, validation, and provide technical support to operators for RF digital/analog systems.
  • Research, evaluate, design, and implement system changes to decommission obsolete mainframe and client-server applications without impacting other systems.
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Senior system administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and optimize the design and delivery of project associate with AIX arena.
  • Manage all installs and setup of new servers, and server upgrades to server 2008 R2.
  • Implement IIS servers for both the internal and external web servers and managing security on all web servers.
  • Design, implement, and manage a network and domain extension in a remote location via a secure VPN link.
  • Manage Cisco network equipment including firewalls and switches.
  • Administer and manage daily backups via Symantec NetBackup.
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Computer systems designer vs senior system administrator skills

Common computer systems designer skills
  • SQL Server, 38%
  • Control Systems, 33%
  • PC, 29%
Common senior system administrator skills
  • Linux, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • System Administration, 4%
  • PowerShell, 4%
  • SAN, 4%

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