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The differences between server 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 server engineer and a systems administrator. Additionally, a server engineer has an average salary of $105,940, which is higher than the $77,156 average annual salary of a systems administrator.
The top three skills for a server engineer include windows server, powershell and linux. The most important skills for a systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.
| Server Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $105,940 | $77,156 |
| Hourly rate | $50.93 | $37.09 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 142,173 | 134,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A server engineer specializes in designing and developing server structures in a company, ensuring accuracy and client satisfaction. They typically work together with technicians and specialists to analyze and assess existing systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, implement solutions in problem areas, provide technical support, and develop strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a server engineer, they are also in charge of installing and performing regular maintenance checks on servers, coordinating corrective measures in a prompt and efficient manner.
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.
Server engineers and systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Server Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average salary | $105,940 | $77,156 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $146,000 | Between $59,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a server engineer and a systems administrator in terms of educational background:
| Server Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between server engineers' and systems administrators' demographics:
| Server Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.1% White, 62.1% 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |