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The differences between security system 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 security system engineer and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a security system engineer has an average salary of $103,018, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Security System Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The primary job of a security system engineer is to design computer systems that can prevent disruptions, such as cyberattacks and natural disasters. You will engineer, implement, and monitor security measures to protect computer networks, systems, and information. In addition, you will identify and define the requirements for system security and design computer security architecture. Other duties that you will perform include preparing and documenting standard operating protocols and procedures, configuring and troubleshooting security infrastructure, and developing security tools to help minimize computer security vulnerabilities.
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.
Security system engineers and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | 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% |