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The differences between systems administration analysts and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a systems administration analyst and a systems engineer. Additionally, a systems engineer has an average salary of $82,834, which is higher than the $67,604 average annual salary of a systems administration analyst.
The top three skills for a systems administration analyst include customer service, database and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Systems Administration Analyst | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $67,604 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $32.50 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 118,673 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Systems administration analysts are executives who set up and maintain the networks related to a computer system. The administrator analysts take responsibility for maintaining, configuring, and operating computer systems. They determine any possible problems in the system, repair systems, and anticipate probable issues through hardware and software configuration. It is their job to manage and maintain file servers. Among the necessary skills for this job include technical thinking, good communication, attention to detail, and enthusiasm.
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.
Systems administration analysts and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Administration Analyst | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $67,604 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $83,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Portland General Electric | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a systems administration analyst and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Administration Analyst | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between systems administration analysts' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Systems Administration Analyst | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 11.0% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |