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The differences between senior desktop engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior desktop engineer, becoming a systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior desktop engineer has an average salary of $114,786, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a senior desktop engineer include SCCM, powershell and infrastructure. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,786 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $55.19 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 264,973 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A senior desktop engineer identifies problems within computer systems and troubleshoots technical issues. They may also be responsible for creating software images, developing software, and updating schedules. This position requires knowledge in network troubleshooting, DNA storage, and problem-solving skills.
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.
Senior desktop engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,786 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $151,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Bloomberg | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior desktop engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior desktop engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |