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The differences between systems operators 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 systems operator and a systems administrator. Additionally, a systems administrator has an average salary of $77,156, 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 a systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.
| Systems Operator | Systems Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,182 | $77,156 |
| Hourly rate | $18.36 | $37.09 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 91,037 | 134,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Systems operators and systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Operator | Systems Administrator | |
| Average salary | $38,182 | $77,156 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $51,000 | Between $59,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | DC Water | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a systems operator and a systems administrator in terms of educational background:
| Systems Operator | Systems Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems operators' and systems administrators' demographics:
| Systems Operator | Systems Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| 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, 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% |