Physical security engineer vs personnel security specialist

The differences between physical security engineers and personnel security specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a physical security engineer and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a physical security engineer has an average salary of $84,784, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.

The top three skills for a physical security engineer include CCTV, security design and video surveillance systems. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.

Physical security engineer vs personnel security specialist overview

	Physical Security Engineer	Personnel Security Specialist
Yearly salary	$84,784	$78,967
Hourly rate	$40.76	$37.96
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	118,927	52,507
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

Physical security engineer vs personnel security specialist salary

Physical security engineers and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physical Security Engineer	Personnel Security Specialist
Average salary	$84,784	$78,967
Salary range	Between $60,000 And $118,000	Between $49,000 And $124,000
Highest paying City	-	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Palantir
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between physical security engineer and personnel security specialist education

There are a few differences between a physical security engineer and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:

	Physical Security Engineer	Personnel Security Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Bakersfield

Physical security engineer vs personnel security specialist demographics

Here are the differences between physical security engineers' and personnel security specialists' demographics:

	Physical Security Engineer	Personnel Security Specialist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%	Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
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, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between physical security engineer and personnel security specialist duties and responsibilities

Physical security engineer example responsibilities.

Coordinate and manage the installations of security systems with the USAO, GSA, and security installer.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Implement PKI procedures for entire division.
Create ETL processes for importing access data into SQL databases via SSIS and SQL store procedures.
Create access risk metrics and reports using SQL server reporting that goes up to a management committee.
Participate in project meetings and conference calls with facilities groups, USAO personnel, GSA, general contractors and subcontractors.

Personnel security specialist example responsibilities.

Implement group policies to manage domain / PC / user security.
Manage servers to include Cisco ACS (access control server), and external DNS server.
Manage multiple security programs and systems in accordance with NISPOM, DCID, M1 and JAFAN guidance.
Support all the applications deploy through the F5 LTM along with the configuration and the managing role.
Develop and manage covert CCTV program to support corporate investigations.
Develop expert working knowledge of personnel security administration activities using JPAS and E-QIP.

Physical security engineer vs personnel security specialist skills

Common physical security engineer skills

CCTV, 36%
Security Design, 25%
Video Surveillance Systems, 23%
Scheme, 5%
Control Systems, 5%
Card Readers, 4%

Common personnel security specialist skills

SCI, 7%
JPAS, 7%
E-QIP, 5%
DOD, 5%
Personnel Security, 5%
Government Agencies, 4%

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Physical Security Engineer vs Personnel Security Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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