Senior linux systems administrator vs network administrator

The differences between senior linux systems administrators and network 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 systems administrator and a network administrator. Additionally, a senior linux systems administrator has an average salary of $106,223, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a senior linux systems administrator include python, windows and cloud. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Senior linux systems administrator vs network administrator overview

	Senior Linux Systems Administrator	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$106,223	$71,357
Hourly rate	$51.07	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	107,134	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a senior linux systems administrator do?

Senior Linux systems administrators are computer system professionals who are responsible for monitoring the performance of Linux-based operating systems. These administrators must propose, implement, and manage software and hardware solutions to ensure data integrity and perform troubleshooting to critical and software issues. They are required to apply best practices in software engineering so that they can deliver projects on time and with excellent quality. Senior Linux systems administrators must also develop and execute test plans for filesystem upgrades and address any issues that arise during testing with vendors.

What does a network administrator do?

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.

Senior linux systems administrator vs network administrator salary

Senior linux systems administrators and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Linux Systems Administrator	Network Administrator
Average salary	$106,223	$71,357
Salary range	Between $82,000 And $137,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Washington
Best paying company	Anaplan	Google
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between senior linux systems administrator and network administrator education

There are a few differences between a senior linux systems administrator and a network administrator in terms of educational background:

	Senior Linux Systems Administrator	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 77%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	-	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Senior linux systems administrator vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between senior linux systems administrators' and network administrators' demographics:

	Senior Linux Systems Administrator	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between senior linux systems administrator and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Senior linux systems administrator example responsibilities.

Manage TCP/IP packets and DHCP servers.
Administer Jenkins for managing weekly build, test and deploy cycle.
Used AWS S3 and EC2 for managing storage, launching virtual servers, configuration of security & networking.
Manage NFS and NAS mounting that include adding new mounts, resolving mounting issues on Solaris and RedHat Linux platforms.
Lead system virtualization project and reduce server numbers.
Experience shell scripting to automate administration jobs including backups for Websphere administration repository.

Network administrator example responsibilities.

Lead and manage desktop standards project.
Manage backups using EMC Networker and Avamar.
Manage Solarwinds to monitor servers and networks for all locations.
Manage all provisioning and technical issues for new customer IP blocks.
Deploy and manage storage (windows file servers and NetApp NAS).
Manage all technology: Novell, Microsoft, Cisco, email, library, labs, dorms, programs

Senior linux systems administrator vs network administrator skills

Common senior linux systems administrator skills

Python, 7%
Windows, 6%
Cloud, 5%
Bash, 5%
OS, 4%
Red Hat, 4%

Common network administrator skills

Switches, 7%
Windows Server, 6%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Network Hardware, 5%
Routers, 4%
Lan Wan, 4%

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Senior Linux Systems Administrator
Senior Linux Systems Administrator vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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