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Senior security & network engineer vs systems administrator

The differences between senior security & network 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 security & network engineer and a systems administrator. Additionally, a senior security & network engineer has an average salary of $112,202, which is higher than the $77,156 average annual salary of a systems administrator.

The top three skills for a senior security & network engineer include network security, cisco asa and switches. The most important skills for a systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.

Senior security & network engineer vs systems administrator overview

Senior Security & Network EngineerSystems Administrator
Yearly salary$112,202$77,156
Hourly rate$53.94$37.09
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs89,592134,500
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a senior security & network engineer do?

A senior security and network engineer is an individual responsible for planning, designing, monitoring, and troubleshooting the network security system to improve organizational efficiency. The network security job is to safeguard a firm's computer networks and systems from threats such as cyber-attacks, intrusion, infiltration, and natural disasters. The job requirements for the main network security engineer position include a network engineer degree, experience in creating and maintaining security systems, and knowledge of computer forensic tools.

What does a systems administrator do?

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 security & network engineer vs systems administrator salary

Senior security & network engineers and systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Security & Network EngineerSystems Administrator
Average salary$112,202$77,156
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $159,000Between $59,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCredit KarmaMeta
Best paying industryInternetTechnology

Differences between senior security & network engineer and systems administrator education

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

Senior Security & Network EngineerSystems Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common college-Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Senior security & network engineer vs systems administrator demographics

Here are the differences between senior security & network engineers' and systems administrators' demographics:

Senior Security & Network EngineerSystems Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.3% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior security & network engineer and systems administrator duties and responsibilities

Senior security & network engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage external DNS for corporate domains and external ISP IP blocks.
  • Configure, manage devices ASA 5520-40-80 site to site VPN and perimeter security.
  • Configure and tune BGP attributes to achieve maximum efficiency and redundancy.
  • Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
  • Analyze and test network protocols (Ethernet, TCP/IP) using Wireshark tool.
  • Provide first-level support for the Linux and UNIX servers used to house the VDSS applications.
  • Show more

Systems administrator example responsibilities.

  • Used Jenkins to automate most of the build relate tasks.
  • Manage windows file servers, messaging, and SQL databases.
  • Lead the project which integrate internal DNS into the corporate LDAP infrastructure for end user host management prior to deployment.
  • Lead business-critical information security initiatives involving encryption of customer data.
  • Authore and maintain shell and Perl scripts to automate administration tasks for infrastructure management.
  • Configure & manage all switches and servers responsible for providing WLAN connectivity and authentication services.
  • Show more

Senior security & network engineer vs systems administrator skills

Common senior security & network engineer skills
  • Network Security, 10%
  • Cisco Asa, 6%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Network Infrastructure, 3%
  • BGP, 3%
  • ASA, 3%
Common systems administrator skills
  • Linux, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • PowerShell, 3%

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