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The differences between security system engineers and senior 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 senior security engineer. Additionally, a senior security engineer has an average salary of $122,480, 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 senior security engineer are cloud security, java, and linux.
| Security System Engineer | Senior Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $122,480 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $58.88 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 69,850 |
| 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.
A senior security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's systems and network database to prevent unauthorized access and avoid data breaches. Senior security engineers inspect the efficiency of networks, perform system configuration, and increase the optimal performance of complex systems. They also implement policies and procedures for compliance with the proper utilization of information directories. They also conduct regular maintenance of networks, create update reports, and resolve glitches and security threats.
Security system engineers and senior security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Senior Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $122,480 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $90,000 And $164,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Roku |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a senior security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Senior 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 senior security engineers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Senior Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% |
| 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% |