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What is a systems support engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.
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For individuals who have a knack for electronics, and who don't necessarily want a nine-to-five desk job might consider a career as a cable splicer. A cable splicer typically works for a utility company or a telecommunications company to install, splice, test, and repair the high-voltage cables and wires in the field. In this day and age, cell phones, televisions, networks, and computers are all powered by electricity, and almost all are connected to the internet in some way. As a result, cable splicers provide a valuable service to keep our society up and running.

A cable splicer spends most of the time out in the field, either repairing cables on top of utility poles, inside buildings, or underground, and is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing power lines and cables. Cable splicers must be properly trained to handle live electrical wires and equipment and follow company safety protocols. This is especially critical when handling live electrical wires and cables that have been knocked down due to weather, or fixing broken connections, and neutralizing live wires.

Some cable splicers may have a background in electrical engineering, or may have experience working as an electrician; however, most companies will train staff in how to safely handle cable and electrical wires. Working as a cable splicer requires attention to detail, and good computer and record-keeping skills. Depending on the industry, cable splicers can make between $30,000 to over $60,000 per year, and job growth is predicted to decrease slightly by 3% by 2029.

What general advice would you give to a systems support engineer?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.
ScoreSystems Support EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.5

Avg. Salary $82,561

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 11.46%

Black or African American 8.51%

Hispanic or Latino 12.21%

Unknown 5.05%

White 62.46%

Gender

female 10.46%

male 89.54%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Systems support engineer career paths

Key steps to become a systems support engineer

  1. Explore systems support engineer education requirements

    Most common systems support engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    60.6 %

    Associate

    21.6 %

    Master's

    10.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific systems support engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Linux7.92%
    Troubleshoot7.27%
    Technical Support6.53%
    Database5.90%
    Unix4.69%
  3. Complete relevant systems support engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New systems support engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a systems support engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real systems support engineer resumes.
  4. Gain additional systems support engineer certifications

    Systems support engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific systems support engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for systems support engineers include Oracle Solaris 11 System Administration and Certified UNIX System Administrator (CUSA).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research systems support engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Develop PERL scripts in LINUX environment to automate importation of classify advertising data for CondeNet's online newspapers and magazine presence.
    • Lead technical operations for an innovative workforce virtualization movement, including initial design and improvement of technical systems and processes.
    • Provide UNIX system support for production and development environments, specifically dealing with major enterprise level systems.
    • Administer, monitor multiple VMWARE clusters.
  6. Prepare your systems support engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your systems support engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a systems support engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable systems support engineer resume templates

    Build a professional systems support engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your systems support engineer resume.
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
    Systems Support Engineer Resume
  7. Apply for systems support engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a systems support engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first systems support engineer job

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Average systems support engineer salary

The average systems support engineer salary in the United States is $82,561 per year or $40 per hour. Systems support engineer salaries range between $62,000 and $109,000 per year.

Average systems support engineer salary
$82,561 Yearly
$39.69 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do systems support engineers rate their job?

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Systems support engineer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

You get to help a lot of people in many different ways as well as learning new things about technology

Cons

I have aids now due to the painfulness of sitting down all day


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Working with The people

Cons

There was nothing to like. Everyone was polite an hard workers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I decided to go to technical support because I've been fascinated by technology all my life and I love working with the people as well. I want to use my technical know-how to solve directly the problems that customers have. I want to be the person who makes life easier and more enjoyable for people who have had a problem. This is what I like most as a technical Support.

Cons

I don't like sitting around being inactive. So I'll keep my self always busy


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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