Computer hardware designer vs computer installation engineer

The differences between computer hardware designers and computer installation engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer hardware designer and a computer installation engineer. Additionally, a computer hardware designer has an average salary of $134,713, which is higher than the $105,279 average annual salary of a computer installation engineer.

Computer hardware designer vs computer installation engineer overview

	Computer Hardware Designer	Computer Installation Engineer
Yearly salary	$134,713	$105,279
Hourly rate	$64.77	$50.61
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	59,580	33,776
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

Computer hardware designer vs computer installation engineer salary

Computer hardware designers and computer installation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Hardware Designer	Computer Installation Engineer
Average salary	$134,713	$105,279
Salary range	Between $95,000 And $189,000	Between $74,000 And $149,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Apple	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between computer hardware designer and computer installation engineer education

There are a few differences between a computer hardware designer and a computer installation engineer in terms of educational background:

	Computer Hardware Designer	Computer Installation Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northeastern University	Northeastern University

Computer hardware designer vs computer installation engineer demographics

Here are the differences between computer hardware designers' and computer installation engineers' demographics:

	Computer Hardware Designer	Computer Installation Engineer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 30.0% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.6% Asian, 31.3% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between computer hardware designer and computer installation engineer duties and responsibilities

Computer hardware designer example responsibilities.

Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
Optimize design, permitting implementation in a cheaper FPGA.
Redesign most of the FPGA circuitry dedicate to this reflection.
Provide concept drawings, proof of concept / prototyping, creating manufacturing drawings, and field support.
Work as a team member to gather, classify, and document the software, hardware, and firmware requirements.
Perform design specification and RTL implementation of functional units and 2D imaging memory controllers.

Computer installation engineer example responsibilities.

Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.
Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.
Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.

Computer hardware designer vs computer installation engineer skills

Common computer hardware designer skills

CAD, 24%
PCB, 19%
FPGA, 16%
RF, 10%
Python, 9%
Hardware Development, 4%

Common computer installation engineer skills

Computer Hardware Designer vs. similar jobs

Computer Hardware Designer related careers

Computer Hardware Designer related jobs

What similar roles do

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Computer Hardware Designer
Computer Hardware Designer vs Computer Installation Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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