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The differences between senior systems analysts and senior system administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior systems analyst, becoming a senior system administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior system administrator has an average salary of $98,146, which is higher than the $82,717 average annual salary of a senior systems analyst.
The top three skills for a senior systems analyst include project management, java and sql server. The most important skills for a senior system administrator are linux, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Senior Systems Analyst | Senior System Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $82,717 | $98,146 |
| Hourly rate | $39.77 | $47.19 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 154,569 | 100,873 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A senior systems analyst is responsible for analyzing IT systems and networks, modifying existing systems for better optimization, and designing efficient technology systems from clients' specifications and business needs. Senior systems analysts regularly inspect the performance of the system networks, ensuring its efficiency and accuracy to support daily operations. They perform troubleshooting, upgrade network infrastructures, and maintain the highest security of the database. A senior systems analyst must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry and a strong command of system languages to mitigate system complexities and improve network processes.
A senior system administrator specializes in overseeing the computer system operations in an organization. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around monitoring the performance of all software and hardware, installing servers, configuring systems, and making sure every technical aspect is running smoothly. Should there be any issues, they must take charge of troubleshooting and providing solutions. As someone with more experience, a senior system administrator leads and evaluates the performances of fellow skilled professionals in the department, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Senior systems analysts and senior system administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Analyst | Senior System Administrator | |
| Average salary | $82,717 | $98,146 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $107,000 | Between $75,000 And $126,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Cambridge Associates |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior systems analyst and a senior system administrator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Analyst | Senior System Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior systems analysts' and senior system administrators' demographics:
| Senior Systems Analyst | Senior System Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.2% Female, 27.8% | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 11.8% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |