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The differences between directors, corporate security and personnel security specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director, corporate security and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a personnel security specialist has an average salary of $78,967, which is higher than the $58,292 average annual salary of a director, corporate security.
The top three skills for a director, corporate security include risk management, oversight and security operations. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Director, Corporate Security | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,292 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $28.02 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 66,575 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A director of corporate security oversees and directs the security operations of an organization, aiming to protect assets and individuals. They primarily develop strategic plans, set goals and security protocols, establish timelines and budgets, participate in the recruitment and hiring procedures, and coordinate the security details for an efficient workflow. They also conduct research and risk assessments, delegate responsibilities among teams, and supervise overall operations, resolving issues and concerns if any arise. There are also times when they investigate breaches or security lapses, developing strategies to ensure it does not happen again.
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.
Directors, corporate security and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director, Corporate Security | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $58,292 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $129,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director, corporate security and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Director, Corporate Security | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | 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 directors, corporate security' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Director, Corporate Security | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 9% | 9% |