In general, the invention is directed to systems and methods of distributing tasks amongst servers or nodes in a cluster in a cloud-based big data environment, including: establishing a high_server_threshold; dividing active servers/nodes into at least three (3) categories of high usage servers, comprising servers on which usage is greater than the high_server_threshold; medium usage servers, comprising servers on which usage is less than the high_server_threshold, but is greater than zero; and low usage servers, comprising servers that are currently not utilized; receiving one or more tasks to be performed; scheduling the tasks by: first requesting that medium usage servers take tasks; if tasks remain that are not scheduled on the medium usage servers, schedule remaining tasks on low usage servers; if any tasks remain that are not scheduled on medium usage servers or low usage servers, scheduling remaining tasks on high usage servers.