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Computer systems designer vs systems administrator

The differences between computer systems designers and 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 systems designer and a systems administrator. Additionally, a systems administrator has an average salary of $77,156, 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 systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.

Computer systems designer vs systems administrator overview

Computer Systems DesignerSystems Administrator
Yearly salary$73,711$77,156
Hourly rate$35.44$37.09
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs114,042134,500
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Computer systems designer vs systems administrator salary

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

Computer Systems DesignerSystems Administrator
Average salary$73,711$77,156
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $98,000Between $59,000 And $100,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between computer systems designer and systems administrator education

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

Computer Systems DesignerSystems Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer systems designer vs systems administrator demographics

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

Computer Systems DesignerSystems Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 75.3% Female, 24.7%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
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, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between computer systems designer and systems 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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Systems administrator example responsibilities.

  • Used Jenkins to automate most of the build relate tasks.
  • Manage windows file servers, messaging, and SQL databases.
  • Lead the project which integrate internal DNS into the corporate LDAP infrastructure for end user host management prior to deployment.
  • Lead business-critical information security initiatives involving encryption of customer data.
  • Authore and maintain shell and Perl scripts to automate administration tasks for infrastructure management.
  • Configure & manage all switches and servers responsible for providing WLAN connectivity and authentication services.
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Computer systems designer vs systems administrator skills

Common computer systems designer skills
  • SQL Server, 38%
  • Control Systems, 33%
  • PC, 29%
Common systems administrator skills
  • Linux, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • PowerShell, 3%

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