Linux systems administrator vs senior administrator

The differences between linux systems administrators and senior 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 linux systems administrator and a senior administrator. Additionally, a senior administrator has an average salary of $103,102, which is higher than the $83,032 average annual salary of a linux systems administrator.

The top three skills for a linux systems administrator include python, windows and red hat. The most important skills for a senior administrator are customer service, SR, and troubleshoot.

Linux systems administrator vs senior administrator overview

	Linux Systems Administrator	Senior Administrator
Yearly salary	$83,032	$103,102
Hourly rate	$39.92	$49.57
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	109,091	58,887
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a linux systems administrator do?

A Linux systems administrator is primarily in charge of managing and overseeing Linux operating systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around installing and conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, performing repairs, and monitoring systems performance to ensure optimal operations. They must also develop back-up and security systems as preventive measures should there be any issues or emergencies. Furthermore, as an administrator, it is essential to manage and encourage team members to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a senior administrator do?

A senior administrator is responsible for managing the overall administrative duties in an organization, including coordinating with higher management to identify process and operations improvement and other business opportunities to grow revenues and increase profitability. Senior administrators monitor and delegate tasks to the administrative staff, resolve discrepancies on record-keeping, respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, ensure the adequacy of inventory, and train new staff. They also inspect and update the database regularly for business information and customer details, as well as handling complaints or directing them to the appropriate personnel and department.

Linux systems administrator vs senior administrator salary

Linux systems administrators and senior administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Linux Systems Administrator	Senior Administrator
Average salary	$83,032	$103,102
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $107,000	Between $73,000 And $145,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Apple	The Walt Disney Company
Best paying industry	Finance	-

Differences between linux systems administrator and senior administrator education

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

	Linux Systems Administrator	Senior Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Stanford University

Linux systems administrator vs senior administrator demographics

Here are the differences between linux systems administrators' and senior administrators' demographics:

	Linux Systems Administrator	Senior Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%	Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between linux systems administrator and senior administrator duties and responsibilities

Linux systems administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage FTP web interface to manage and send files to customer FTP site using PHP.
Manage F5, JVM & JBOSS, JBOSS EWS.
Configure and manage NetApp storage array.
Manage NetApp storage devices and user administration.
Manage systems volume using SVM, LVM, NAS, VERITAS volume manager.
Manage Blackduck servers - configure on 8 quad cpu and 32gB memory and 16TB storage.

Senior administrator example responsibilities.

Organize and manage all meeting logistics for various conferences and events across the U.S.
Lead and/or participate in adding departments to the DMS, client/server upgrades, DR testing, and end user testing.
Have configured the SharePoint environment and continuously managing both intranet and internet sites used by end users, consumers and stakeholders.
Manage calendar and arrange travel; coordinate meetings and events; create PowerPoint presentations; prepare correspondence and approve expense reports.
Provide remote user support via Citrix remote desktop and Cisco VPN.
Create, maintain and provide issue resolution of complex Linux and Unix scripts.

Linux systems administrator vs senior administrator skills

Common linux systems administrator skills

Python, 7%
Windows, 7%
Red Hat, 5%
Troubleshoot, 4%
OS, 4%
System Administration, 4%

Common senior administrator skills

Customer Service, 10%
SR, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Linux, 5%
Data Entry, 4%
HR, 3%

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Linux Systems Administrator vs Senior Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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