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The differences between computer systems engineers and systems support 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 systems engineer and a systems support engineer. Additionally, a systems support engineer has an average salary of $82,561, which is higher than the $76,534 average annual salary of a computer systems engineer.
The top three skills for a computer systems engineer include computer system, python and C++. The most important skills for a systems support engineer are linux, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Systems Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $76,534 | $82,561 |
| Hourly rate | $36.80 | $39.69 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 149,045 | 182,434 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer systems engineers solve complex problems in network operations. These engineers test the system operations to check for a possible security breach and search for new processes to improve the entire system function. They work with other computer engineers to determine the details needed to design an integrated computer system. Their jobs require communications skills, critical thinking skills, and experience in systems evaluation to perform their duties well. They would also need to have a background in computers, technology and engineering, and computer design.
Systems support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them. They must assist the system support engineers in accomplishing any projects they are working with. They must troubleshoot servers, personal computers, and peripheral equipment while liaising with their customers. They must also create and maintain user accounts and implement group policy management through an active directory.
Computer systems engineers and systems support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Systems Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $76,534 | $82,561 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $98,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer systems engineer and a systems support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Systems Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer systems engineers' and systems support engineers' demographics:
| Computer Systems Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 13.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |