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The differences between senior information security analysts 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 senior information security analyst and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a senior information security analyst has an average salary of $103,586, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a senior information security analyst include incident response, risk assessments and infrastructure. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Senior Information Security Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $103,586 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $49.80 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 113,001 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Senior Information Security Analyst plan and execute security measures to safeguard a company's computer system and network. Duties include advising on best practice for technical security, implementing corrective action to any vulnerabilities identified, leading security audits for best practice assurance, and creating information security training for staff. They also help maintain the organization's information security management system across its policies, standards, and guidelines. They must maintain awareness of industry standards, technology trends, and changes in external regulation.
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.
Senior information security analysts and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Security Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $103,586 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $135,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior information security analyst and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Security Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between senior information security analysts' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Senior Information Security Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | 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% |