How To Become A Linux Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a linux engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

A Linux engineer manages the software, hardware, and systems on a Linux server. They install and monitor Linux operating systems and cater to clients' needs. They also resolve user issues, address management requests, and identify potential issues by implementing security measures. Plus, they participate in programming, scripting, and process automation.

A Linux engineer must have a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. They must also have programming experience and a strong understanding of Linux, DNS, LDAP, and Java. Apart from this, they need strong interpersonal skills; they work with both business and technical teams to set up network and database configurations. Linux engineers design and develop operating system configurations for software packages.

What general advice would you give to a linux engineer?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.

ScoreLinux EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $103,666

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 13.85%

Black or African American 7.95%

Hispanic or Latino 11.67%

Unknown 5.00%

White 61.22%

Gender

female 8.06%

male 91.94%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a linux engineer

Explore linux engineer education requirements

Most common linux engineer degrees

Bachelor's

73.9 %

Master's

15.0 %

Associate

7.3 %

Start to develop specific linux engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	14.55%
Troubleshoot	6.68%
Bash	5.96%
Cloud	4.52%
Unix	4.45%

Complete relevant linux engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New linux engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a linux engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real linux engineer resumes.

Research linux engineer duties and responsibilities

Create and deploy bash scripts to automate clean up routines, check system space allocations and system memory usage.
Experience shell scripting to automate administration jobs including backups for Websphere administration repository.
Manage and maintain virtual computing environment base on VMware and administers computer systems with windows.
Experience on scripting using Perl, shell and bash.

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When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your linux engineer resume.

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