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The differences between chief security officers and personnel security specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a chief security officer, becoming a personnel security specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a chief security officer has an average salary of $144,017, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a chief security officer include oversight, risk management and security program. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Chief Security Officer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $144,017 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $69.24 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 107,163 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
Chief security officers are a part of a company's executives assigned to secure all company assets, personnel, and premises. The importance of this position increases with the continuous innovation of technology. These officers need to have advanced computer skills and critical thinking skills and be meticulous about details. Having chief security officers in a company can help add value to the company and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. They also manage a network of managers, staff, and security directors and coordinate with law enforcement or other security agencies.
A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
Chief security officers and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chief Security Officer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $144,017 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $101,000 And $204,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a chief security officer and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Chief Security Officer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between chief security officers' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Chief Security Officer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |