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The differences between information systems engineers and senior information technology specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an information systems engineer and a senior information technology specialist. Additionally, an information systems engineer has an average salary of $104,903, which is higher than the $103,478 average annual salary of a senior information technology specialist.
The top three skills for an information systems engineer include system security, NIST and RMF. The most important skills for a senior information technology specialist are customer service, database, and technical support.
| Information Systems Engineer | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $104,903 | $103,478 |
| Hourly rate | $50.43 | $49.75 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 248,183 | 111,996 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An information systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating network systems and databases to process information that would support business functions and operations. Information systems engineers maintain the stability and navigation of networks to ensure their security and prevent unauthorized access and illegal data dissemination. They may also modify the features and improve the infrastructure of the existing database for optimization. An information systems engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages to write codes and test controls.
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Information systems engineers and senior information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Engineer | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $104,903 | $103,478 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $139,000 | Between $78,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Safeway | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an information systems engineer and a senior information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Engineer | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information systems engineers' and senior information technology specialists' demographics:
| Information Systems Engineer | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 12.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |