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What is a senior unix systems administrator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Eileen Cyr Ed.D.
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The average senior unix systems administrator salary is $116,752. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an computer science major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a senior unix systems administrator. Senior unix systems administrators with a Certified UNIX System Administrator (CUSA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 18,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a senior unix systems administrator?

Eileen Cyr Ed.D.Eileen Cyr Ed.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, Springfield College

Use every resource at their disposal to increase their understanding of SEL and FACE. Build a resume that provides evidence of their ability to thrive in both a virtual and face to face classroom. Be prepared to engage with online platforms like Zoom, Nearpod, Jamboard, Padlet, and google slides.

Breathe - the airline advice of putting on your oxygen mask before assisting others is 100% applicable to today's teachers.
ScoreSenior Unix Systems AdministratorUS Average
Salary
8.0

Avg. Salary $116,752

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 13.85%

Black or African American 7.95%

Hispanic or Latino 11.67%

Unknown 5.01%

White 61.20%

Gender

female 10.58%

male 89.42%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Senior unix systems administrator career paths

Key steps to become a senior unix systems administrator

  1. Explore senior unix systems administrator education requirements

    Most common senior unix systems administrator degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.2 %

    Master's

    13.5 %

    Associate

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior unix systems administrator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Production Servers7.79%
    Solaris5.66%
    Troubleshoot5.07%
    VMware4.18%
    OS4.16%
  3. Complete relevant senior unix systems administrator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior unix systems administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior unix systems administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior unix systems administrator resumes.
  4. Gain additional senior unix systems administrator certifications

    Senior unix systems administrator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific senior unix systems administrator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for senior unix systems administrators include Certified UNIX System Administrator (CUSA) and Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research senior unix systems administrator duties and responsibilities

    • Install and manage DB2 servers on AIX.
    • Manage user accounts and groups on a large scale in LDAP and NIS environments.
    • Write shell, Perl, python, ruby scripts to automate daily repetitive activities.
    • Create and maintain shell and PERL scripts to automate and monitor within the UNIX environment.
  6. Get senior unix systems administrator experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior unix systems administrator. The most common roles before becoming a senior unix systems administrator include unix systems administrator, systems administrator team lead and unix administrator.
  7. Prepare your senior unix systems administrator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior unix systems administrator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior unix systems administrator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior unix systems administrator resume templates

    Build a professional senior unix systems administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior unix systems administrator resume.
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
    Senior Unix Systems Administrator Resume
  8. Apply for senior unix systems administrator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior unix systems administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first senior unix systems administrator job

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Average senior unix systems administrator salary

The average senior unix systems administrator salary in the United States is $116,752 per year or $56 per hour. Senior unix systems administrator salaries range between $90,000 and $150,000 per year.

Average senior unix systems administrator salary
$116,752 Yearly
$56.13 hourly

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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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