Systems operator vs operations system administrator

The differences between systems operators and operations 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 operator and an operations system administrator. Additionally, an operations system administrator has an average salary of $76,891, which is higher than the $38,182 average annual salary of a systems operator.

The top three skills for a systems operator include computer system, management system and combat. The most important skills for an operations system administrator are technical support, linux, and customer service.

Systems operator vs operations system administrator overview

	Systems Operator	Operations System Administrator
Yearly salary	$38,182	$76,891
Hourly rate	$18.36	$36.97
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	91,037	173,494
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a systems operator do?

Systems operators often act as the front liners whose primary job is to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity service to consumers and businesses. They are responsible for overseeing and managing the power grid and controlling electricity flow through transmission lines. Other duties and responsibilities of systems operators include monitoring and operating current converters, observing circuit breakers and voltage transformers, and anticipating the changing needs for power due to weather. They are also responsible for communicating with key stakeholders such as power plant operators to route energy to consumers.

What does an operations system administrator do?

In the information technology industry, an Operations System Administrator is responsible for overseeing and maintaining computer systems, including software, hardware, and applications. They are responsible for supervising staff, spearheading installations and repairs, troubleshooting problems, diagnosing and resolving technical issues and concerns, and ensuring data security and safety by implementing back-ups, firewalls, and other protocols. Moreover, as an operations system administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals while implementing standards and regulations to maintain the smooth flow of operations.

Systems operator vs operations system administrator salary

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

	Systems Operator	Operations System Administrator
Average salary	$38,182	$76,891
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $51,000	Between $59,000 And $98,000
Highest paying City	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	DC Water	PayPal
Best paying industry	Finance	Utilities

Differences between systems operator and operations system administrator education

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

	Systems Operator	Operations System Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Systems operator vs operations system administrator demographics

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

	Systems Operator	Operations System Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 76.2% Female, 23.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between systems operator and operations system administrator duties and responsibilities

Systems operator example responsibilities.

Manage SMS and TCP/IP protocol.
Perform and manage routine building maintenance tasks, including carpentry, plumbing, and HVAC repair and maintenance.
Manage tactical high-speed data network (THSDN), internet subscriber IP addresses, and switch caller profiles.
Manage print production, registration and logistics for several high-profile events, annual fund solicitations and annual telephone campaign.
Create and modify new user accounts in accordance with local and DOD policies and procedures.
Provide technical support for full setup, debug the problems of OSPF, switching and HSRP.

Operations system administrator example responsibilities.

Manage VOIP Digium phones for clients.
Manage and update share drive and SharePoint.
Manage DNS, SMTP for Webservers contacting customers.
Manage LDAP accounts on across the enterprise system.
Manage machines and accounts in active directory and dhcp.
Lead a team of 5 engineers providing PC support to 1,000 customers and implement PC disaster recovery efforts for 400 customers.

Systems operator vs operations system administrator skills

Common systems operator skills

Computer System, 13%
Management System, 11%
Combat, 11%
Switches, 10%
Situational Awareness, 9%
Lan, 7%

Common operations system administrator skills

Technical Support, 9%
Linux, 8%
Customer Service, 5%
VMware, 4%
SQL, 4%
Windows Server, 4%

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Systems Operator
Systems Operator vs Operations System Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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