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The differences between senior linux engineers and lead systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior linux engineer and a lead systems engineer. Additionally, a lead systems engineer has an average salary of $119,705, which is higher than the $109,623 average annual salary of a senior linux engineer.
The top three skills for a senior linux engineer include python, AWS and cloud. The most important skills for a lead systems engineer are systems engineering, architecture, and infrastructure.
| Senior Linux Engineer | Lead Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $109,623 | $119,705 |
| Hourly rate | $52.70 | $57.55 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 57,475 | 186,392 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Senior Linux engineers are lead information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for implementing and monitoring computer programs that are created through the Linux system. These senior engineers are required to lead their departments to develop and implement solutions by using project management principles for disaster recovery. They are required to provide various system administration support tasks for Linux program users. Senior Linux engineers must also work with their networking teams to provide troubleshooting procedures for complex application issues.
A lead systems engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the systems infrastructure and improving the stability of the operating systems to support business operations. Lead systems engineers install and upgrade software applications and ensure that the technical strategies meet the quality standards and business requirements. They also enhance the performance of the existing systems, configuring features for optimization. A lead systems engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in supporting the end-users with technical failures and identifying accurate resolutions.
Senior linux engineers and lead systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Linux Engineer | Lead Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $109,623 | $119,705 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $145,000 | Between $90,000 And $158,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior linux engineer and a lead systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Linux Engineer | Lead Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior linux engineers' and lead systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Linux Engineer | Lead Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 12.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |