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The differences between directors, security risk management 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, security risk management and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a director, security risk management has an average salary of $149,329, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a director, security risk management include NIST, risk assessments and governance. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Director, Security Risk Management | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $149,329 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $71.79 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 126,141 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A director of security risk management oversees and directs the risk management plans and operations of a company, aiming to minimize losses if disasters arise. They primarily set goals and roadmaps, establish timelines and guidelines, coordinate internal and external parties, and lead operations from planning to execution. They also have the authority to make significant decisions that align with the company's vision and mission, implement recovery and continuity plans, and enforce policies and regulations that protect company assets, developing new ones as necessary.
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, security risk management and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director, Security Risk Management | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $149,329 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $105,000 And $212,000 | 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, security risk management and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Director, Security Risk Management | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between directors, security risk management' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Director, Security Risk Management | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | 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% |