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The differences between security system engineers 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 security system engineer, becoming a security administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a security system engineer has an average salary of $103,018, which is higher than the $79,564 average annual salary of a security administrator.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for a security administrator are customer service, troubleshoot, and security procedures.
| Security System Engineer | Security Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $79,564 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $38.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 99,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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 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.
Security system engineers and security administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Security Administrator | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $79,564 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $54,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a security administrator in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Security Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and security administrators' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Security Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | 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% |