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The differences between senior systems security engineers and 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 systems engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior systems security engineer has an average salary of $112,486, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a senior systems security engineer include DOD, security engineering and RMF. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,486 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $54.08 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 136,367 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| 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.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Senior systems security engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,486 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $151,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior systems security engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior systems security engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |