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The differences between security systems specialists and personnel security specialists 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 systems specialist and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a security systems specialist has an average salary of $81,852, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a security systems specialist include DOD, technical support and project management. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Security Systems Specialist | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,852 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $39.35 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 117,676 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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 personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
Security systems specialists and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Systems Specialist | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $81,852 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $120,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a security systems specialist and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Security Systems Specialist | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between security systems specialists' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Security Systems Specialist | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% |
| 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, 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% |