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The differences between security system engineers and software engineers 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 software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a security system engineer has an average salary of $103,018, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Security System Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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 software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Security system engineers and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and software engineers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |