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The differences between security system engineers and systems 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 systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a security system engineer has an average salary of $103,018, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Security System Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| 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.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Security system engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |