Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between information security administrators 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 an information security administrator and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, an information security administrator has an average salary of $81,604, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for an information security administrator include incident response, security systems and data loss prevention. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Information Security Administrator | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,604 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $39.23 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 157,160 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 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.
Information security administrators and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Security Administrator | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $81,604 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $116,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Roseville, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Nasdaq | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information security administrator and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Security Administrator | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between information security administrators' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Information Security Administrator | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3% | 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% |