Systems operator vs unix systems administrator

The differences between systems operators and unix 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 unix systems administrator. Additionally, a unix systems administrator has an average salary of $87,936, 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 unix systems administrator are production servers, solaris, and database.

Systems operator vs unix systems administrator overview

	Systems Operator	Unix Systems Administrator
Yearly salary	$38,182	$87,936
Hourly rate	$18.36	$42.28
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	91,037	110,185
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 unix systems administrator do?

UNIX system administrators install, configure, and maintain the UNIX systems of organizations. The administrators are in charge of the troubleshooting of server errors. They install new system hardware for their respective organizations and respond to the issues raised by the users. It is part of their job to monitor the network's performance. Usually, they are working in an office using UNIX multiuser operating system. They supervise the execution of data conversion projects such as database hardware replacements.

Systems operator vs unix systems administrator salary

Systems operators and unix systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Systems Operator	Unix Systems Administrator
Average salary	$38,182	$87,936
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $51,000	Between $64,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	DC Water	PayPal
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between systems operator and unix systems administrator education

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

	Systems Operator	Unix Systems Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Systems operator vs unix systems administrator demographics

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

	Systems Operator	Unix Systems Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between systems operator and unix systems 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.

Unix systems administrator example responsibilities.

Manage LUN assignments from Shark/Hitachi SAN through the fiber switches.
Manage system kernel settings to boost performance base on root cause analysis for performance issues.
Manage and maintain local area network (TCP/IP), consisting of 2 NCR 3430 servers and 130+ client workstations.
Help automate server and storage provisioning.
Manage resources for zones using Solaris 10container technology.
Manage AWS services and provide redundancy for internal corporate systems.

Systems operator vs unix systems administrator skills

Common systems operator skills

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

Common unix systems administrator skills

Production Servers, 8%
Solaris, 5%
Database, 4%
SAN, 4%
System Administration, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

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Systems Operator vs Unix Systems Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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