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The differences between senior security engineers and engineers 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 engineer and an engineer. Additionally, a senior security engineer has an average salary of $122,480, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a senior security engineer include cloud security, java and linux. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Senior Security Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $122,480 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $58.88 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 69,850 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A senior security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's systems and network database to prevent unauthorized access and avoid data breaches. Senior security engineers inspect the efficiency of networks, perform system configuration, and increase the optimal performance of complex systems. They also implement policies and procedures for compliance with the proper utilization of information directories. They also conduct regular maintenance of networks, create update reports, and resolve glitches and security threats.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Senior security engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Security Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $122,480 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $90,000 And $164,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Roku | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior security engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Security Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between senior security engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Senior Security Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |