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The differences between systems support engineers and software systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a systems support engineer, becoming a software systems engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a software systems engineer has an average salary of $107,102, which is higher than the $82,561 average annual salary of a systems support engineer.
The top three skills for a systems support engineer include linux, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for a software systems engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Systems Support Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,561 | $107,102 |
| Hourly rate | $39.69 | $51.49 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 182,434 | 370,518 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Systems support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them. They must assist the system support engineers in accomplishing any projects they are working with. They must troubleshoot servers, personal computers, and peripheral equipment while liaising with their customers. They must also create and maintain user accounts and implement group policy management through an active directory.
A software systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating software systems applications and programs according to clients' specifications or business' needs. They work to improve the features of existing applications to boost efficiency and optimal performance. Software systems engineers manage systems configuration and structural development to develop high-quality outputs and deliverables. They also run multiple diagnostic tests to ensure smooth navigations and server transitions and identify efficient technical solutions. A software systems engineer assists the end-users with application issues, performing troubleshooting operations, and creating resolution reports for reference.
Systems support engineers and software systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Support Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,561 | $107,102 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $109,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a systems support engineer and a software systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Support Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between systems support engineers' and software systems engineers' demographics:
| Systems Support Engineer | Software Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |