Linux systems administrator vs storage administrator

The differences between linux systems administrators and storage 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 storage administrator. Additionally, a storage administrator has an average salary of $92,434, 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 storage administrator are linux, switches, and NAS.

Linux systems administrator vs storage administrator overview

	Linux Systems Administrator	Storage Administrator
Yearly salary	$83,032	$92,434
Hourly rate	$39.92	$44.44
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	109,091	71,753
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 storage administrator do?

A storage administrator is typically in charge of managing and storing company data, ensuring its safety and accuracy. Their responsibilities typically revolve around devising strategies for data storage, developing and installing storage systems and back-ups, identifying errors and inconsistencies, troubleshooting, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency and security of storage systems. Furthermore, as a storage administrator, it is essential to produce progress reports and maintain records of all transactions, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Linux systems administrator vs storage administrator salary

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

	Linux Systems Administrator	Storage Administrator
Average salary	$83,032	$92,434
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $107,000	Between $65,000 And $130,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Apple	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between linux systems administrator and storage administrator education

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

	Linux Systems Administrator	Storage Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	-

Linux systems administrator vs storage administrator demographics

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

	Linux Systems Administrator	Storage Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%	Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between linux systems administrator and storage 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.

Storage administrator example responsibilities.

Accomplish using mediums such as: FICON, SNA, ESCON, IP, FC, & ISCSI.
Manage, and deploy LUNS from EMC storage frames to multiple servers using the UNISHERE for VNX and VMAX.
Support teams which manage CentOS.
Manage and support SRDF replications between DR data centers.
Create CIFS, setting up permissions as per customer requirements and manage DFS.
Manage users and groups on a large scale in NIS and LDAP environments.

Linux systems administrator vs storage administrator skills

Common linux systems administrator skills

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

Common storage administrator skills

Linux, 7%
Switches, 6%
NAS, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Isilon, 4%
VNX, 4%

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Linux Systems Administrator
Linux Systems Administrator vs Storage Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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