Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior information technology administrators and information technology technical leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior information technology administrator, becoming an information technology technical lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, which is higher than the $105,357 average annual salary of a senior information technology administrator.
The top three skills for a senior information technology administrator include linux, SAN and unity. The most important skills for an information technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Senior Information Technology Administrator | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $105,357 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $50.65 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 156,682 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A senior information technology administrator leads and oversees the efforts in maintaining computer systems and infrastructures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include setting goals and objectives, managing budgets and schedules, supervising the installation and upgrades of systems, and developing strategies to optimize a company's information technology operations. They may also perform regular maintenance checks on systems, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a senior administrator, it is essential to serve as a role model to junior administrators and staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Senior information technology administrators and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Administrator | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $105,357 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $135,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | Milpitas, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Cohesity | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology administrator and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Administrator | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology administrators' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Administrator | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |