Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob Outlook

Compare

FAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocationsInterview QuestionsCover Letter

Systems administrator vs windows system administrator

The differences between systems administrators and windows system 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 systems administrator and a windows system administrator. Additionally, a windows system administrator has an average salary of $79,845, which is higher than the $77,156 average annual salary of a systems administrator.

The top three skills for a systems administrator include linux, troubleshoot and windows server. The most important skills for a windows system administrator are windows server, infrastructure, and powershell.

Systems administrator vs windows system administrator overview

Systems AdministratorWindows System Administrator
Yearly salary$77,156$79,845
Hourly rate$37.09$38.39
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs134,50094,648
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a systems administrator do?

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.

What does a windows system administrator do?

A Windows System Administrator maintains the systems and servers of a Windows operating system. They evaluate and modify the system's performance.

Systems administrator vs windows system administrator salary

Systems administrators and windows system administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Systems AdministratorWindows System Administrator
Average salary$77,156$79,845
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $100,000Between $60,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASunnyvale, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between systems administrator and windows system administrator education

There are a few differences between a systems administrator and a windows system administrator in terms of educational background:

Systems AdministratorWindows System Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Systems administrator vs windows system administrator demographics

Here are the differences between systems administrators' and windows system administrators' demographics:

Systems AdministratorWindows System Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 83.9% Female, 16.1%Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between systems administrator and windows system administrator duties and responsibilities

Systems administrator example responsibilities.

  • Used Jenkins to automate most of the build relate tasks.
  • Manage windows file servers, messaging, and SQL databases.
  • Lead the project which integrate internal DNS into the corporate LDAP infrastructure for end user host management prior to deployment.
  • Lead business-critical information security initiatives involving encryption of customer data.
  • Authore and maintain shell and Perl scripts to automate administration tasks for infrastructure management.
  • Configure & manage all switches and servers responsible for providing WLAN connectivity and authentication services.
    • Show more

Windows system administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and configure VPN connections for the users.
  • Deploy and manage Panasonic PBX and VOIP phone systems and network connectivity.
  • Manage exchange stores, mailbox provisioning, active sync and monitoring the mailboxes.
  • Manage data usage, space, security and archival over servers, workstations and NAS machines.
  • Manage issues with server hardware, networking, web services, database, DNS, clustering, and e-mail.
  • Manage all OU's under domain at multiple sites across the country through a constant VPN tunnel per client rules.
    • Show more

Systems administrator vs windows system administrator skills

Common systems administrator skills
  • Linux, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • PowerShell, 3%
Common windows system administrator skills
  • Windows Server, 9%
  • Infrastructure, 7%
  • PowerShell, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Linux, 5%
  • SCCM, 4%

Systems Administrator vs. similar jobs

Systems Administrator related careers

Systems Administrator related jobs

Systems Administrator jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs