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The differences between security system engineers and security engineers 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 security engineer. Additionally, a security engineer has an average salary of $104,524, which is higher than the $103,018 average annual salary of a security system engineer.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for a security engineer are java, cloud security, and infrastructure.
| Security System Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $104,524 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $50.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 86,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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.
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.
Security system engineers and security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $104,524 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $77,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | ICE Mortgage Technology |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and security engineers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| 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% |