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The differences between information security consultants and information technology technical leads 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 consultant and an information technology technical lead. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, which is higher than the $103,316 average annual salary of an information security consultant.
The top three skills for an information security consultant include risk assessments, risk management and SQL. The most important skills for an information technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Information Security Consultant | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $103,316 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $49.67 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 113,409 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Information Security Consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for assessing computer and network systems to implement security solutions for the IT needs of an organization. These consultants must prevent unauthorized access to financial and personal information of the organization by assessing its existing infrastructures and systems for weaknesses. They must provide advice and recommendations on the best method to ensure security for their IT system. Information Security Consultants must also perform penetration testing and malware analysis to identify any network weaknesses.
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Information security consultants and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Security Consultant | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $103,316 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $138,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | Carson City, NV | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | eBay | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an information security consultant and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Information Security Consultant | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information security consultants' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Information Security Consultant | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |