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The differences between information security 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 security analyst, becoming a security administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an information security analyst has an average salary of $98,144, which is higher than the $79,564 average annual salary of a security administrator.
The top three skills for an information security analyst include incident response, risk assessments and windows. The most important skills for a security administrator are customer service, troubleshoot, and security procedures.
| Information Security Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $98,144 | $79,564 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $38.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 112,818 | 99,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An information security analyst is an individual who is responsible for carrying out security measures to protect the computer network and systems of an organization. Information security analysts erect firewalls and encrypt data transmissions to protect the organization's data from being inappropriately accessed or used. They must be aware of reports on computer viruses and should share this information with the management or customer. Information security analysts are also required to conduct training for all the organization's employees regarding computer security and information safeguarding.
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 security analysts and security administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Security Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Average salary | $98,144 | $79,564 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $135,000 | Between $54,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between an information security analyst and a security administrator in terms of educational background:
| Information Security Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between information security analysts' and security administrators' demographics:
| Information Security Analyst | Security Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | 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% |