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The differences between security systems specialists and network security 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 systems specialist, becoming a network security engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, which is higher than the $81,852 average annual salary of a security systems specialist.
The top three skills for a security systems specialist include DOD, technical support and project management. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.
| Security Systems Specialist | Network Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,852 | $88,322 |
| Hourly rate | $39.35 | $42.46 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 117,676 | 91,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
Security systems specialists lead consultant and in-house teams in large-scale Linux server upgrades for multinational consulting firms to enhance system performance. These specialists develop excellent customer service through self-motivation and a team effort to improve customer retention and company reputation. They also update inventory asset databases with accurate records to enable better production decision making, analyze and resolve security faults, and perform periodic disaster recovery tests. Security systems specialists should have traits like communication skills, analytical skills, and ingenuity.
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Security systems specialists and network security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Systems Specialist | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,852 | $88,322 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $120,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. | The Knot |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a security systems specialist and a network security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security Systems Specialist | Network Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between security systems specialists' and network security engineers' demographics:
| Security Systems Specialist | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |