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The differences between senior linux engineers and systems 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 senior linux engineer and a systems administrator. Additionally, a senior linux engineer has an average salary of $109,623, which is higher than the $77,156 average annual salary of a systems administrator.
The top three skills for a senior linux engineer include python, AWS and cloud. The most important skills for a systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.
| Senior Linux Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $109,623 | $77,156 |
| Hourly rate | $52.70 | $37.09 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 57,475 | 134,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.
Senior linux engineers and systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Linux Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average salary | $109,623 | $77,156 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $145,000 | Between $59,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior linux engineer and a systems administrator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Linux Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior linux engineers' and systems administrators' demographics:
| Senior Linux Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| 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, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |