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The differences between information security administrators and network security engineers 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 security administrator, becoming a network security engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, which is higher than the $81,604 average annual salary of an information security administrator.
The top three skills for an information security administrator include incident response, security systems and data loss prevention. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.
| Information Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,604 | $88,322 |
| Hourly rate | $39.23 | $42.46 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 157,160 | 91,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An Information Security Administrator focuses on the proper installation of surveillance systems in a building or residence. This person is responsible for ensuring the appropriate installment of CCTV cameras and other equipment necessary to protect a perimeter adequately. Their responsibilities include ensuring the protection of all surveillance equipment from tampering, theft, and damage and providing support for the owner to resolve problems with the system and provide troubleshooting.
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Information security administrators and network security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,604 | $88,322 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $116,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Roseville, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Nasdaq | The Knot |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between an information security administrator and a network security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Information Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between information security administrators' and network security engineers' demographics:
| Information Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |