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The differences between information engineers and security engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an information engineer, becoming a security engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information engineer has an average salary of $105,003, which is higher than the $104,524 average annual salary of a security engineer.
The top three skills for an information engineer include customer service, linux and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a security engineer are java, cloud security, and infrastructure.
| Information Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $105,003 | $104,524 |
| Hourly rate | $50.48 | $50.25 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 151,357 | 86,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
Information engineers and security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $105,003 | $104,524 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $139,000 | Between $77,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | ICE Mortgage Technology |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information engineer and a security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Information Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between information engineers' and security engineers' demographics:
| Information Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |