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The differences between senior systems security engineers and systems support 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 support 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 $82,561 average annual salary of a systems support engineer.
The top three skills for a senior systems security engineer include DOD, security engineering and RMF. The most important skills for a systems support engineer are linux, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,486 | $82,561 |
| Hourly rate | $54.08 | $39.69 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 136,367 | 182,434 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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.
Systems support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them. They must assist the system support engineers in accomplishing any projects they are working with. They must troubleshoot servers, personal computers, and peripheral equipment while liaising with their customers. They must also create and maintain user accounts and implement group policy management through an active directory.
Senior systems security engineers and systems support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,486 | $82,561 |
| Salary range | Between $83,000 And $151,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior systems security engineer and a systems support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior systems security engineers' and systems support engineers' demographics:
| Senior Systems Security Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.0% Female, 14.0% | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |