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The differences between linux administrators and devops engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a linux administrator, becoming a devops engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a devops engineer has an average salary of $104,019, which is higher than the $79,996 average annual salary of a linux administrator.
The top three skills for a linux administrator include python, windows and linux servers. The most important skills for a devops engineer are python, docker, and java.
| Linux Administrator | Devops Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $79,996 | $104,019 |
| Hourly rate | $38.46 | $50.01 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 56,604 | 257,025 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A Linux administrator is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of Linux operating systems to support business operations and high-quality deliverables. Linux administrators handle the resolution of Linux network issues, maintaining its stability and ensuring its safety and security from unauthorized access and malware threats. They also conduct regular maintenance to configure the system navigation and infrastructure, running multiple diagnostic tests to identify defects, and recommending strategic procedures for system enhancement. A Linux administrator must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in providing technical support on faulty servers.
DevOps engineers are practitioners of DevOps, a software development strategy that aims to bridge the gap between computer software development and information technology (IT) operations. They work closely with computer software developers and other IT staff to manage code deployments and releases. Their duties include overseeing the IT infrastructure supporting software code in different environments, choosing a suitable deployment model, and directing testing protocol needed to validate releases. Other tasks they may likely perform include preparing test data, analyzing results, and troubleshooting issues and problems.
Linux administrators and devops engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Linux Administrator | Devops Engineer | |
| Average salary | $79,996 | $104,019 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $101,000 | Between $80,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Medline | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a linux administrator and a devops engineer in terms of educational background:
| Linux Administrator | Devops Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between linux administrators' and devops engineers' demographics:
| Linux Administrator | Devops Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |