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What does a senior windows systems administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A senior Windows system administrator manages servers and network infrastructure. They are responsible for supervising an operations team and troubleshooting technical issues. They also provide training to new system users. This position requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology.

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Senior windows systems administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior windows systems administrator resumes:

  • Maintain and support internal database repository and manage the service and application creation/deletion and association with SQL sever instances.
  • Provide enterprise validation input to support the engineering review board to generate and manage mitigation plans for the overall mission architecture.
  • Experience with DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP technologies.
  • Administer OS patch deployment for all corporate endpoints using SCCM.
  • Create documentation for ITIL compliance.
  • Create DNS records for Unix counterparts during migrations.
  • Configure and monitor public and private (heartbeat) of SAN.
  • Collaborate with Linux team to resolve cross platform user login issues using Centrify.
  • Work closely with developers resolving code issues and other relate issues within IIS.
  • Develop and maintain PowerShell scripting and SQL query knowledge base to increase team efficiency.
  • Work independently and in conjunction with team members to troubleshoot hardware and software issues.
  • Develop and implement a plan to transition tier 2 SCCM support to the internal 24X7 production support team.
  • Develop web pages, install and maintain hubs, router configurations, TCP/IP protocols, and NetWare environments.
  • Order, install, troubleshoot, repair, and replace hardware products in accordance to product specifications and customer decisions
  • Create and import virtual machines using different guest OS and OVF templates, and update it on frequently basis.

Senior windows systems administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior Windows Systems Administrators are proficient in PowerShell, Windows Server, and Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Windows Systems Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • PowerShell, 9%

    Perform administrative functions and tasks to enforce configuration standards and policies using MS PowerShell, Group Polices and Active Directory.

  • Windows Server, 7%

    Developed and maintained documentation related to the installation, administration, and maintenance of overall Windows server environment.

  • Infrastructure, 7%

    Review emerging technologies and provide recommendations based on industry best practices enhancing infrastructure services and security to customers.

  • Windows Systems, 4%

    Provided systems administration support for Windows Systems including server and workstation upgrades.

  • SCCM, 4%

    Phase II: Plan and design installation for the rest of Microsoft's System Center Suite 2012 starting with SCCM.

  • DNS, 4%

    Manage and troubleshoot Active Directory components such as Replication, DNS, DHCP and WINS.

Common skills that a senior windows systems administrator uses to do their job include "powershell," "windows server," and "infrastructure." You can find details on the most important senior windows systems administrator responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior windows systems administrator to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a senior windows systems administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "identified and implemented sql database tuning for increased sharepoint performance. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior windows 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 windows systems administrator resume, here's how senior windows systems administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "coordinated communication between marketing, web, and infrastructure teams. "

Multitasking skills. This is an important skill for senior windows systems administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how senior windows systems administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior windows systems administrator: "refined skills in multitasking and customer service. ".

Problem-solving skills. For certain senior windows systems administrator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a senior windows systems administrator rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what senior windows systems administrators do: "develop solutions to manage and maintain the ever changing and quickly growing smart cloud for government and federal data center infrastructure. "

Most common senior windows systems administrator skills

Choose from 10+ customizable senior windows systems administrator resume templates

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Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume
Senior Windows Systems Administrator Resume

Compare different senior windows systems administrators

Senior windows systems administrator vs. Systems engineer

Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.

If we compare the average senior windows systems administrator annual salary with that of a systems engineer, we find that systems engineers typically earn a $27,593 lower salary than senior windows systems administrators make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between senior windows systems administrators and systems engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like powershell, windows server, and sccm.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior windows systems administrator responsibilities require skills like "infrastructure," "windows systems," "group policy," and "gpo." Meanwhile a typical systems engineer has skills in areas such as "python," "c++," "c #," and "database." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Systems engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $96,218. Comparatively, senior windows systems administrators tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $110,842.On average, systems engineers reach higher levels of education than senior windows systems administrators. Systems engineers are 5.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior windows 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.

A career as a lan administrator brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior windows systems administrator. In fact, lan administrators salary is $49,485 lower than the salary of senior windows systems administrators per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Senior windows systems administrators and lan administrators both require similar skills like "windows server," "dns," and "linux" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior windows systems administrator responsibilities requires skills like "powershell," "infrastructure," "windows systems," and "sccm." But a lan administrator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "network hardware," "lan," "emerging technologies," and "network administration."

Lan administrators earn a lower average salary than senior windows systems administrators. But lan administrators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $74,033. Additionally, senior windows systems administrators earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $110,842 annually.In general, lan administrators achieve similar levels of education than senior windows systems administrators. They're 2.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior windows systems administrator vs. Network/server administrator

A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.

On average scale, network/server administrators bring in lower salaries than senior windows systems administrators. In fact, they earn a $31,508 lower salary per year.senior windows systems administrators and network/server administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "powershell," "windows server," and "sccm," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior windows systems administrator resumes include skills like "infrastructure," "windows systems," "group policy," and "dod," whereas a network/server administrator is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "server administration," "server environment," and "tcp/ip. "

Network/server administrators earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $84,609. Senior windows systems administrators earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $110,842.When it comes to education, network/server administrators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior windows systems administrators. In fact, they're 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior windows systems administrator vs. Help desk administrator

Help desk administrator is responsible for handling activities related to system support for their company or organization. They are in charge of providing superb client experiences and working in resolving support issues in a professional and timely manner. One of their primary tasks includes providing login resets and passwords for end-users. In addition, they will also perform innovative systems and network repairs, as well as assist computer information responses as required. Moreover, they support complete equipment set-up, renewal, or termination of a user account, handle server, and domain account changes.

Help desk administrators tend to earn a lower pay than senior windows systems administrators by an average of $60,629 per year.According to resumes from senior windows systems administrators and help desk administrators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "windows server," "sccm," and "dns. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior windows systems administrators and help desk administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior windows systems administrator might have more use for skills like "powershell," "infrastructure," "windows systems," and "group policy." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of help desk administrators require skills like "customer service," "desk support," "phone calls," and "computer system. "

In general, help desk administrators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $56,503. The highest-paying industry for a senior windows systems administrator is the technology industry.help desk administrators reach similar levels of education compared to senior windows systems administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 4.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior windows systems administrator

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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