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The differences between senior systems security engineers 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 systems security engineer and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a senior systems security engineer has an average salary of $112,486, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a senior systems security engineer include DOD, security engineering and RMF. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $112,486 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $54.08 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 136,367 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A senior systems security engineer maintains the safety and security of an organization's computer systems and network databases to safeguard them from unauthorized access and data breaches. The professional is also responsible for performing system configuration, ensuring the efficiency of computer networks, and increasing the optimal performance of complex systems. The core skills that a senior systems security engineer should possess include strong problem-solving and analytical skills and a keen eye for details. The education requirements for the position include a college or bachelor's degree in the field of computer systems security, computer science, and information technology.
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 systems security engineers and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $112,486 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $151,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior systems security engineer and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between senior systems security engineers' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | 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% |