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The differences between network security administrators and security engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a network security administrator, becoming a security engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a security engineer has an average salary of $104,524, which is higher than the $82,247 average annual salary of a network security administrator.
The top three skills for a network security administrator include network security, troubleshoot and switches. The most important skills for a security engineer are java, cloud security, and infrastructure.
| Network Security Administrator | Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,247 | $104,524 |
| Hourly rate | $39.54 | $50.25 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 130,342 | 86,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A Network Security Administrator works to ensure the security of the network systems and data in a company. They are responsible for developing and implementing security programs and protocols, establishing security guidelines, monitoring the networks, keeping an eye for any suspicious activities, or performing interventions to protect networks and data. They also respond to distress and investigates breaches to prevent them from happening again. In some companies, a Network Security Administrator is also in charge of managing network security staff, supervising their performance for an efficient workflow.
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
Network security administrators and security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Security Administrator | Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,247 | $104,524 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $113,000 | Between $77,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Portland General Electric | ICE Mortgage Technology |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network security administrator and a security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Network Security Administrator | Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between network security administrators' and security engineers' demographics:
| Network Security Administrator | Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.8% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |