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The differences between personnel security specialists 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 a personnel security specialist, becoming a security administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a security administrator has an average salary of $79,564, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a personnel security specialist include SCI, JPAS and E-QIP. The most important skills for a security administrator are customer service, troubleshoot, and security procedures.
| Personnel Security Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $78,967 | $79,564 |
| Hourly rate | $37.96 | $38.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 52,507 | 99,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
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.
Personnel security specialists and security administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Personnel Security Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Average salary | $78,967 | $79,564 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $124,000 | Between $54,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Palantir | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a personnel security specialist and a security administrator in terms of educational background:
| Personnel Security Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between personnel security specialists' and security administrators' demographics:
| Personnel Security Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | 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% |