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The differences between network security engineers 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 engineer, 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 $88,322 average annual salary of a network security engineer.
The top three skills for a network security engineer include network security, windows and cisco asa. The most important skills for a security engineer are java, cloud security, and infrastructure.
| Network Security Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $88,322 | $104,524 |
| Hourly rate | $42.46 | $50.25 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 91,892 | 86,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
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 engineers and security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Security Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $88,322 | $104,524 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $120,000 | Between $77,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Knot | ICE Mortgage Technology |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network security engineer and a security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Network Security Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between network security engineers' and security engineers' demographics:
| Network Security Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% 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% |