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The differences between systems operators and systems specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a systems specialist has an average salary of $86,020, 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 specialist are customer service, veterans, and troubleshoot.
| Systems Operator | Systems Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $38,182 | $86,020 |
| Hourly rate | $18.36 | $41.36 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 91,037 | 127,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| 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 specialists are professionals who maintain, troubleshoot, and install information and computer systems. They identify the software, data, and hardware needs of companies. Generally, they work in physically demanding indoor environments installing complicated networks. They manage, lead, and coordinate technical support for new software, upgrades, and products. Also, they configure systems for the users and assess data from different sources to make a decision.
Systems operators and systems specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Operator | Systems Specialist | |
| Average salary | $38,182 | $86,020 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $51,000 | Between $61,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | DC Water | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a systems operator and a systems specialist in terms of educational background:
| Systems Operator | Systems Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems operators' and systems specialists' demographics:
| Systems Operator | Systems Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |