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The differences between information assurance analysts and security administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an information assurance analyst, becoming a security administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a security administrator has an average salary of $79,564, which is higher than the $77,184 average annual salary of an information assurance analyst.
The top three skills for an information assurance analyst include RMF, DOD and ACAS. The most important skills for a security administrator are customer service, troubleshoot, and security procedures.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $77,184 | $79,564 |
| Hourly rate | $37.11 | $38.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 104,926 | 99,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Information assurance analysts are professionals who are responsible for conducting vulnerability management activities to assess potential threats. These analysts are required to establish information technology (IT) programs that protect member information from internal and external data loss. They need to develop security policies and procedures so that they can achieve ISO certification. They must also monitor and maintain networks while conducting a full range of security-related analysis to evaluate suspicious activities. Information assurance analysts must also review logs and interview personnel to determine the level of investigation or disciplinary actions.
A security administrator is in charge of establishing and enforcing security measures over a company's information systems and networks. Their duties typically revolve around installing and maintaining security networks, analyzing existing systems to identify areas needing improvement, conducting regular maintenance checks and upgrades to optimize services and functions, and monitoring overall systems for any suspicious activities or breaches. Furthermore, as a security administrator, it is essential to develop information technology solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Information assurance analysts and security administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Average salary | $77,184 | $79,564 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $108,000 | Between $54,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | Apptio | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between an information assurance analyst and a security administrator in terms of educational background:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between information assurance analysts' and security administrators' demographics:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% |
| 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, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |