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.
Senior linux systems administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior linux systems administrator resumes:
- 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.
- Use bash and some Perl scripting for several program applications
- Utilize and debug scripts and applications using curl, Perl, ksh/bash, and java.
- Work with the VMWARE environment where the clustered servers used the virtualization policies in the data center for the production.
- Install RHEL 5 and RHEL 6 and update the versions within the release.
- Work on VMWARE for creating the VM from scratch and template, cloning the virtual for creating new VM.
- Include management of hardware and planning resources on the SAN.
- Install RHEL Kickstart for compute farm server install and maintenance.
- Create and edit custom bash scripts used for various internal purposes.
- Maintain and maintenance all the customers classify RHEL/ CentOS Linux systems.
Senior linux systems administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Senior Linux Systems Administrators are proficient in Python, Windows, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Linux Systems Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 7%
Worked on Test Deployment scripts using Python, BASH.
- Windows, 6%
Assisted in a corporate-wide migration from Windows to Linux servers for production/development applications.
- Cloud, 5%
Implemented and maintained Monitoring and alerting of production and corporate servers/storage with Cloud Watch.
- Bash, 5%
Task automation and reporting generally through Bash scripting.
- OS, 4%
Deployed an internal Yum repository to significantly reduce dependencies on external OS packages and increase full-environment-build stability
- Red Hat, 4%
Created users, manage user permissions, maintain User & File System quota on Red Hat Linux, CentOS and OEL.
Most senior linux systems administrators use their skills in "python," "windows," and "cloud" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior linux systems administrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior linux systems administrator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Senior linux systems administrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "involved in san migration during dc move on production database servers. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior linux systems administrator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a senior linux systems administrator resume, here's how senior linux systems administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "perform complex technical analysis of vmware esx server systems, communications, etc. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior linux systems administrators is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior linux systems administrator duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked on integrating nagios with other monitoring/alert solutions (splunk, pingdom, pager duty) server wizard. "
The three companies that hire the most senior linux systems administrators are:
- Raytheon Technologies27 senior linux systems administrators jobs
- S&P Global18 senior linux systems administrators jobs
- Leidos8 senior linux systems administrators jobs
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Senior linux systems administrator vs. Lead administrator
Lead administrators are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing and troubleshooting departmental computer operations of an organization. These IT professionals must manage and approve access to their online score data as well as create new users directly in the portal to allow access to the score data. They manage the office supplies of the organization while processing salary management and executive payroll every month. Lead administrators must also coordinate with technicians for hardware, printer, and cabling repairs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior linux systems administrator are more likely to require skills like "python," "cloud," "bash," and "os." On the other hand, a job as a lead administrator requires skills like "payroll," "office equipment," "branch management," and "expense reports." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Lead administrators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $90,650. In contrast, senior linux systems administrators make the biggest average salary, $108,476, in the technology industry.lead administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than senior linux systems administrators. In fact, lead administrators are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior linux systems administrator vs. Lan administrator
LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them. They install, configure, and troubleshoot the local area network or LAN in a corporate office. It is part of their job to ensure that the internet is available for everyone who uses computers to perform their roles. They also evaluate and recommend the computers, hardware and software, and the equipment needed to create a hack-proof server.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior linux systems administrator responsibilities requires skills like "python," "windows," "cloud," and "bash." But a lan administrator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "windows server," "network hardware," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot."
Lan administrators earn a lower average salary than senior linux systems administrators. But lan administrators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $74,033. Additionally, senior linux systems administrators earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $108,476 annually.In general, lan administrators achieve lower levels of education than senior linux systems administrators. They're 5.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior linux systems administrator vs. Clinic administrator
A clinic administrator is primarily in charge of overseeing the daily operations in a clinic or similar establishment, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include setting objectives, managing the budgets and schedules, supervising insurance procedures, spearheading new programs and treatments, and developing strategies to optimize clinic operations. They must also address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a clinic administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the facility's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior linux systems administrators are more likely to have skills like "python," "windows," "cloud," and "bash." But a clinic administrator is more likely to have skills like "patients," "healthcare," "patient care," and "oversight."
Clinic administrators earn the highest salary when working in the pharmaceutical industry, where they receive an average salary of $96,715. Comparatively, senior linux systems administrators have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,476.Most clinic administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to senior linux systems administrators. For example, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior linux systems administrator vs. Network administrator
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.
Types of senior linux systems administrator
Updated January 8, 2025











