IT Support Engineer
Provides technical support for end users, resolving hardware, software, and network issues. Manages IT infrastructure fundamentals like accounts, devices, and access to keep an organization's systems running smoothly.
23 tracked skills · 9 core
Full IT Support Engineer skill breakdownSystem Administrator
Manages and maintains IT infrastructure including servers, networks, and systems. Ensures system availability, performs troubleshooting, and implements security measures.
33 tracked skills · 8 core
Full System Administrator skill breakdownSalary snapshot
IT Support Engineer
No sourced salary data yet for this role.
System Administrator
$99,130/yr median
$62,640 – $155,050 (10th–90th percentile)
Source: O*NET OnLine (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics) (SOC 15-1244.00, 2025)
US market data (BLS/O*NET) — India-specific salary data coming soon.
15 skills both roles expect
These transfer directly if you switch between the two paths — but notice where the importance differs. Tap any skill to see why it matters.
| Skill | For IT Support Engineers | For System Administrators |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshootingsoft | Core | Important |
| Active Directory | Core | Important |
| Windows Server | Core | Core |
| TCP/IP | Core | Core |
| DNS | Core | Core |
| DHCP | Core | Important |
| Communicationsoft | Core | Nice-to-have |
| PowerShell | Important | Core |
| VMware | Important | Core |
| Linux | Nice-to-have | Core |
| Bash | Nice-to-have | Core |
| VPN | Important | Important |
| Group Policy | Important | Important |
| Backup and Recovery | Important | Important |
| ITIL | Important | Nice-to-have |
Where the paths diverge
The skills each role expects that the other doesn't — this is the real cost of choosing one path over the other.
Only IT Support Engineers need
8 skills, 2 of them core
Only System Administrators need
18 skills, 1 of them core