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The differences between computer hardware developers and computer hardware designers 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 developer and a computer hardware designer. Additionally, a computer hardware designer has an average salary of $134,713, which is higher than the $99,546 average annual salary of a computer hardware developer.
The top three skills for a computer hardware developer include firmware, hardware development and python. The most important skills for a computer hardware designer are CAD, PCB, and FPGA.
| Computer Hardware Developer | Computer Hardware Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,546 | $134,713 |
| Hourly rate | $47.86 | $64.77 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 116,915 | 59,580 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer hardware developers and computer hardware designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Hardware Developer | Computer Hardware Designer | |
| Average salary | $99,546 | $134,713 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $133,000 | Between $95,000 And $189,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a computer hardware developer and a computer hardware designer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Hardware Developer | Computer Hardware Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between computer hardware developers' and computer hardware designers' demographics:
| Computer Hardware Developer | Computer Hardware Designer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |