Systems operator vs systems administrator lead

The differences between systems operators and systems administrator leads 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 lead. Additionally, a systems administrator lead has an average salary of $99,956, 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 lead are linux, project management, and windows server.

Systems operator vs systems administrator lead overview

	Systems Operator	Systems Administrator Lead
Yearly salary	$38,182	$99,956
Hourly rate	$18.36	$48.06
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	91,037	132,285
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 a systems administrator lead do?

A systems administrator lead is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing procedures for critical enterprise systems. Typical duties of systems administrators include managing the day-to-day operations of a company's computer and network systems, developing new application and system implementation plans, and establishing guidelines for installing and managing the organization's computer operating systems. In addition, you are expected to ensure the security of computer systems by preventing unauthorized use, user abuse, and acts of nature.

Systems operator vs systems administrator lead salary

Systems operators and systems administrator leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Systems Operator	Systems Administrator Lead
Average salary	$38,182	$99,956
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $51,000	Between $77,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	DC Water	Kabam
Best paying industry	Finance	Telecommunication

Differences between systems operator and systems administrator lead education

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

	Systems Operator	Systems Administrator Lead
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Systems operator vs systems administrator lead demographics

Here are the differences between systems operators' and systems administrator leads' demographics:

	Systems Operator	Systems Administrator Lead
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between systems operator and systems administrator lead 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.

Systems administrator lead example responsibilities.

Manage all Citrix user connections and issues, print network, server environment and supplies.
Manage printers on the print servers and re-serve IP addresses for devices from the DHCP servers.
Manage software development group SharePoint portal.
Save company many hours of manual testing and developing by engineering Java applications to automate tedious tasks.
Manage development, manufacturing, test and delivery of custom broadband RF electronic test systems for military and aerospace customers.
Perform day-to-day management of system applications and services (NTP, DNS, LDAP, etc .).

Systems operator vs systems administrator lead skills

Common systems operator skills

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

Common systems administrator lead skills

Linux, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Windows Server, 5%
System Performance, 5%
Technical Support, 5%
Database, 5%

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Systems Operator
Systems Operator vs Systems Administrator Lead

Updated January 8, 2025

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