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The differences between senior security architects 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 security architect and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a senior security architect has an average salary of $129,456, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a senior security architect include cloud security, cloud and risk assessments. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Senior Security Architect | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $129,456 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $62.24 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 123,555 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Senior security architects deal with developing solutions to accomplish goals and providing ideas about structure, growth, and solutions. Their job revolves around a quick moving environment, constant communication, and working with partners to identify business opportunities. Having this position requires leadership and mentoring skills to help junior team members succeed in this field. They should have technical skills to design and develop solutions to improve an already existing technology. Also, they will be responsible for developing, planning, and executing security systems and strategies.
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 security architects and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Security Architect | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $129,456 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $96,000 And $173,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Apple | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior security architect and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Security Architect | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between senior security architects' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Senior Security Architect | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | 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% |