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The differences between senior systems security engineers and principal systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior systems security engineer, becoming a principal systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a principal systems engineer has an average salary of $133,208, which is higher than the $112,486 average annual salary of a senior systems security engineer.
The top three skills for a senior systems security engineer include DOD, security engineering and RMF. The most important skills for a principal systems engineer are systems engineering, DOD, and C++.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,486 | $133,208 |
| Hourly rate | $54.08 | $64.04 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 136,367 | 146,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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 Principal Systems Engineer supervises a group of other engineers in technical projects. They develop and lead systems engineering projects and efforts.
Senior systems security engineers and principal systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,486 | $133,208 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $151,000 | Between $97,000 And $181,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a senior systems security engineer and a principal systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between senior systems security engineers' and principal systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 8.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.8% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |