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The differences between security systems specialists and security administrators 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 security administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a security systems specialist has an average salary of $81,852, which is higher than the $79,564 average annual salary of a security administrator.
The top three skills for a security systems specialist include DOD, technical support and project management. The most important skills for a security administrator are customer service, troubleshoot, and security procedures.
| Security Systems Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $81,852 | $79,564 |
| Hourly rate | $39.35 | $38.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 117,676 | 99,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| 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 security administrator is in charge of establishing and enforcing security measures over a company's information systems and networks. Their duties typically revolve around installing and maintaining security networks, analyzing existing systems to identify areas needing improvement, conducting regular maintenance checks and upgrades to optimize services and functions, and monitoring overall systems for any suspicious activities or breaches. Furthermore, as a security administrator, it is essential to develop information technology solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Security systems specialists and security administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Systems Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Average salary | $81,852 | $79,564 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $120,000 | Between $54,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. | Gap Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Government |
There are a few differences between a security systems specialist and a security administrator in terms of educational background:
| Security Systems Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between security systems specialists' and security administrators' demographics:
| Security Systems Specialist | Security Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9% |
| 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, 9.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |