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The differences between computer hardware developers and developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a computer hardware developer, becoming a developer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a developer has an average salary of $100,076, 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 developer are javascript, python, and java.
| Computer Hardware Developer | Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,546 | $100,076 |
| Hourly rate | $47.86 | $48.11 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 116,915 | 262,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Computer hardware developers handle the physical aspect of computers. The developers research, design, and manufacture test computer systems and components. They make sure that they function to their full capacity with the software they are being used with. Their duties include designing new computer hardware, manufacturing computer equipment schematics, analyzing the test results, and modifying the design of the new hardware as needed. They update the already existing computer equipment so it works with new software and oversee every step of the manufacturing process.
Developers are usually system or application developers in a company who work on specific projects related to networks or applications from conception to implementation. They attend planning sessions to ensure that the program is feasible. They are responsible for designing the system through coding and basic user interface design. They also work on troubleshooting any challenges that may be met at the testing stage of the program's development. They solve challenges and ensure that minimal problems will arise upon publishing the system or application. They also manage the evaluation to ensure that the program's goals are accomplished and that the end-users are satisfied with the results.
Computer hardware developers and developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Hardware Developer | Developer | |
| Average salary | $99,546 | $100,076 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $133,000 | Between $76,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer hardware developer and a developer in terms of educational background:
| Computer Hardware Developer | Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between computer hardware developers' and developers' demographics:
| Computer Hardware Developer | Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% | Male, 74.9% Female, 25.1% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |