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The differences between senior linux systems administrators and senior linux 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 systems administrator and a senior linux engineer. Additionally, a senior linux engineer has an average salary of $109,623, which is higher than the $106,223 average annual salary of a senior linux systems administrator.
The top three skills for a senior linux systems administrator include python, windows and cloud. The most important skills for a senior linux engineer are python, AWS, and cloud.
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.
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.
Senior linux systems administrators and senior linux engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Linux Systems Administrator | Senior Linux Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,223 | $109,623 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $82,000 And $145,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Anaplan | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a senior linux systems administrator and a senior linux engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Linux Systems Administrator | Senior Linux Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | - | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior linux systems administrators' and senior linux engineers' demographics:
| Senior Linux Systems Administrator | Senior Linux Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 14.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |