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Senior system operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior system operator. Senior system operators usually study business, computer science, or computer information systems. 44% of senior system operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 398 real senior system operator resumes to see exactly what senior system operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior system operators are the American University and the American University.

There are also many online senior system operator courses to help get the education required to be a senior system operator.

What education do you need to become a senior system operator?

What degree do you need to be a senior system operator?

The most common degree for senior system operators is bachelor's degree, with 44% of senior system operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 35% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 44%
  • Associate, 35%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Master's, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a senior system operator?

You should major in business to become a senior system operator. 21% of senior system operators major in business. Other common majors for a senior system operator include computer science and computer information systems.

Most common colleges for senior system operators

Senior system operators often get their degrees at American University, Monroe College, and Rochester Institute of Technology. Here are the most common colleges for senior system operators in the US based on their resumes.
Senior system operator common collegePercentages
American University15.00%
Monroe College15.00%
Rochester Institute of Technology5.00%
Savannah State University5.00%
Ashford University5.00%

Best majors for senior system operators

Best colleges for senior system operators

The best colleges for senior system operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

A senior system operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior system operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior system operators.

1. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,912

Enrollment

14,245

5. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

7. Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$41,420

Enrollment

5,907

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

20 best online courses for senior system operators

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1. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

2. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems

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This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In...

3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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4.1
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For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

4. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

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4.7
(1,078)

Learn memory management in operating systems as operating system forms the core of computer science...

5. Operate Alibaba Cloud Systems and Services

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Course description: ACA System Operator Certification Preparation Course is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management and operations on Alibaba Cloud. It’s recommended for System administrators with at least one year of experience in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. ACA System Operator Certification is intended for individuals who have technical expertise in deployment, management, and operations on Alibaba Cloud. Certificate holders...

6. Introduction to Operating Systems

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This specialization is intended for people with some programming experience who seek an approachable introduction to how operating systems work on a fundamental level. This course will equip learners with foundational knowledge of operating systems suitable for any developer roles. In these four courses, you will cover everything from the basics of a C program to distributed systems. These topics will help prepare you to optimize the performance of the programs you write...

7. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

8. Operating Systems Part 3: Synchronization and Deadlock

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4.4
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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

9. Getting Started with Junos Operating System

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In this course, you will be introduced to the design and architecture of the Junos operating system (Junos OS)—the operating system used on Juniper’s routing, switching, and security portfolio. This course will explore the Junos OS command line interface (CLI) for configuring, managing, and monitoring Junos OS-powered network devices. The J-Web interface will also be examined as the graphical use interface (GUI) option for configuring, managing, and monitoring Junos OS devices. You will then be...

10. Operations Systems Excellence

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The sole task of organisations is to either deliver customers the services that they require, or design, manufacture, and deliver products that customers are after. How do firms and organisations manage the very tasks that they carry out? How can operations themselves give excellence to organisations to enable them to be competitive? Operations management is concerned with the design, planning and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. This course will provide an...

11. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 1

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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

12. Write Your Own Operating System From Scratch - Step by Step

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Build your own 64-bit operating system - for the x86 architecture...

13. Windows 10 System Administration & Basic Computer Skills

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4.2
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Learn the basics of system administration for the Windows 10 operating system, as well as some basic computer skills...

14. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

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Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

15. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

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Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

16. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

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Master Linux/Unix System administration through a practical and hands on approach...

17. Learn VirtualBox: Step by Step (Install 5 Operating Systems)

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18. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

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Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

19. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems

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Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...

20. Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators

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[Windows] [System Administration] Learn Windows Builtin Tools & Open Source Tools for Efficient System Administration...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior system operators

The most affordable schools for senior system operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for senior system operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior system operators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

7. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

8. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior system operators

The hardest universities for senior system operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

Some great schools for senior system operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior system operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior system operators

The easiest schools for senior system operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior system operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior system operators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

10. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

Average senior system operator salary by education level

According to our data, senior system operators with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $78,655 annually. Senior system operators with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $77,748.
Senior system operator education levelSenior system operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$70,292
Bachelor's Degree$78,655
Some College/ Associate Degree$77,748

Senior system operator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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