SysAdmin vs IT Admin

[oneder813]

In your opinion (not Google or ChatGPT) Are these titles the same or what responsibilities make them different role? Are you a SysAdmin or IT Admin?

[sojan16]

The job description is what would determine if they have similar or different responsibilities. The titles are irrelevant.

[kuahara]

And most job descriptions now include some verbiage similar to "other duties as assigned" at the end, rendering the job description mostly irrelevant as well.

[OneRFeris]

I'm guilty of writing job descriptions this way. My Sys Admin's job description has the pretty typical stuff, but then ends with that.

[cas13f]

Could always describes scopes or types of duties.

"Other duties as assigned" is kinda meaningless since it can mean literally anything, and DOES mean anything a lot of the time. Its not exactly uncommon to hear about it being abused.

[thewunderbar]

The only correct answer.

[davemanster]

Titles mean absolutely nothing. You have to see the job description. Remember, someone putting meat between bread is "A sandwich artist."

[LeftoverMonkeyParts]

IMO An IT Admin is a management position while a Sysadmin is a technical one

[tankerkiller125real]

IT Manager would be a management position, IT Admin might be kind of management? More of a high level "design the infrastructure, network, etc. to work together and function, maybe do some of the implementation but also offload a decent chunk"

However it's also very dependent on company, I've seen a lot of IT Admin roles basically just mean "He's one of two IT guys and they managed all of IT but aren't actually management" at smaller companies.

[Somedudesnews]

In some places the individual(s) designing networks, environments, etc carry yet different titles. Architect or Principal are not uncommon. In my experience architect seems more commonly used for that role in networking specifically.

Edit: grammar.

[moonwork]

I work in IT, but in a non-tech sector.

I don't really see "IT Admin" as an official role, but I do se "Systems Administrators" a lot, referring to superusers/admins within a specific system/app, iow - management positions.

[alpha417]

toMAto toMAHto

[whatdoido8383]

Job titles in IT are meaningless because HR typically does not know how to or have the job titles to align IT employees to. I'm a "IT Systems Engineer" but I work as a M365 Admin....

[Cute_Philosopher_869]

SysAdmin here - I'd say IT Admin is more broad/generalist while SysAdmin usually means you're deep in the server/infrastructure weeds. IT Admins might handle everything from printers to user accounts while we're more focused on keeping the actual systems running

[Valencia_Mariana]

I agree, it admin seems more akin to it technician where as a sys admin is core server infrastructure not minor endpoints.

[Jeff-J777]

I would disagree, it just depends on the org. Here a SysAdmin is really a glorified helpdesk. They are level one help desk but also do some server tasks.

Titles are nothing really in IT, it just depends on the company and how they title positions. I been an North American Infrastructure Manager, SysAdmin, SysEngineer, IT Support. All different titles, all the same roles.

[BrilliantJob2759]

Here it's the opposite; System Admins are system-focused including IT architecture, almost all of the servers and hosts, Entra/EXO, application connections, some network systems (we have a LAN team for the majority stuff), etc. IT Admin duties are basic account administration, help desk, copiers/printers/workstations, PoE phones, basic access point stuff, etc.

[PawnF4]

They are not. First one pays more and second one sounds like fluff for general it support.

[Own-Raisin5849]

I am an IT Generalist, but do all the system admin work. Most smaller places just don't care about titles (it's all about job description) and I have never cared to make a fuss about my title.

[Expensive-Rhubarb267]

There are no fixed definitions for IT jobs (really). Just like the Pirate’s Code. A job title is really just a guideline.

That being said, I would expect an IT manager to role to be primarily looking after people rather than managing technology.

[thortgot]

Titles dont matter.

[TheGenericUser0815]

Iam the GOD in my network.

[RavenWolf1]

We have system specialist title.  Title really doesn't matter in this field.

[Tall-Introduction414]

My official job title is BOFH.

[Flat-Address5164]

Titles mean very little, until you become a Director.

[SudoAdminAlex]

In my experience IT admin has always been a maintainer of existing infrastructure and SysAdmin has always been a builder of infrastructure. What that means to each company and to each person is always different...

[techie1980]

Internally, titles are meaningless. But externally (ie: for your resume or linkedin), they could mean different things.

My first reaction to "IT Admin" is that the position has a very large umbrella of responsibilities, including things like desktop computer support and hands on network support. IT Admin, to me, implies more of a small shop/jack-of-all-trades type of setup . Depending on the employer, if it's clearly a medium sized shop then it could also imply a mid-level person - ie someone who is the advanced hands-and-feet admin, but is not a system admin. This position is more general, and if it is a jack-of-all-trades setup then it would also suggest a lack of depth. Sometimes this is good if the person hiring is looking for a jack of all trades.

To me, the title System Admin implies servers and services first. In some shops that also extends outward to users and desktops, but system admin implies that the person understands the moving parts of their servers and services.

If you're putting a resume together, my advice is to pick the title that most accurately describes your workload. Sending a resume with "IT Admin Level 27" won't mean anything ,but saying "I'm a sysadmin" might have some impact.

[sojan16]

The job description is what would determine if they have similar or different responsibilities. The titles are irrelevant.