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.
Linux systems administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real linux systems administrator resumes:
- 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.
- Install, set up, manage and monitor different distributions of Linux (RHEL, CentOS, etc . )
- Perform periodic system maintenance including OS and applications patching on Linux servers.
- Convert Linux systems from local password authentication to LDAP and NFS homes significantly increasing administrative efficiency.
- Work on android/Linux BSP migration, board bring up with MSM8650 including SW configuration management (manage git repository).
- Maintain systems up to date by installing, updating software on windows environment and package management with RPM/Yum/Apt on Linux systems.
- Tune existing Debian Linux workstations to serve as Java development environments.
- Configure Linux firewall with IPCHAINS and IPTABLES.
- Perform deployments to QA & performance environments.
- Work with various protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP.
Linux systems administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Linux Systems Administrators are proficient in Python, Windows, and Red Hat. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Linux Systems Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 7%
Developed tools for communication and statistics tracking in python and expect languages to positively motivate team.
- Windows, 7%
Provided small business/government/publishing LAN, desktop and peripheral device support to Windows and Macintosh systems.
- Red Hat, 5%
Involved in preparation of technical design specifications, installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve system alerts for managed infrastructure services in an international environment.
- OS, 4%
Maintained corporate IT infrastructure of a small advertisement agency, performed daily system administration for mixed Linux and Mac OS environment.
- System Administration, 4%
Coordinated with business development personnel on proposals and work estimates involving highly complex system administration projects and solutions.
Most linux systems administrators use their skills in "python," "windows," and "red hat" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential linux systems administrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a linux systems administrator to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what linux systems administrators do because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a linux systems administrator resume shows how linux systems administrators use analytical skills: "performed troubleshooting on java applications using traces and log analyzers. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform linux systems administrator duties is communication skills. Linux systems administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Linux systems administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "adhere to strict security standards by securing communications with tls/ssl, java truststores/keystores, and certificates. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for linux systems administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how linux systems administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a linux systems administrator: "implemented automated solutions with perl and cmd scripts to prevent and identify build issues. ".
The three companies that hire the most linux systems administrators are:
- Leidos35 linux systems administrators jobs
- Northrop Grumman34 linux systems administrators jobs
- General Dynamics29 linux systems administrators jobs
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Compare different linux systems administrators
Linux systems administrator vs. Systems engineer
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, linux systems administrator responsibilities require skills like "windows," "bash," "linux servers," and "centos." Meanwhile a typical systems engineer has skills in areas such as "c++," "c #," "dod," and "matlab." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Systems engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $96,218. On the other hand, linux systems administrators are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $101,017.On average, systems engineers reach similar levels of education than linux systems administrators. Systems engineers are 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Linux systems administrator vs. Network/server administrator
A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real linux systems administrator resumes. While linux systems administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "windows," "system administration," and "bash," network/server administrators use skills like "customer service," "windows server," "powershell," and "server administration."
Network/server administrators earn a lower average salary than linux systems administrators. But network/server administrators earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $84,609. Additionally, linux systems administrators earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $101,017 annually.network/server administrators earn lower levels of education than linux systems administrators in general. They're 6.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for linux systems administrators in the next 3-5 years?
David Groshoff
Linux systems administrator vs. Network administrator
A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from linux systems administrator resumes include skills like "python," "windows," "red hat," and "system administration," whereas a network administrator is more likely to list skills in "windows server," "network hardware," "routers," and "lan. "
Network administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $74,936. Linux systems administrators earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $101,017.Most network administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to linux systems administrators. For example, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Linux systems administrator vs. Senior administrator
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.
Types of linux systems administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
