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The differences between device engineers and staff engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a device engineer and a staff engineer. Additionally, a staff engineer has an average salary of $107,530, which is higher than the $97,458 average annual salary of a device engineer.
The top three skills for a device engineer include python, data analysis and JMP. The most important skills for a staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Device Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,458 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $46.85 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 42,316 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A device engineer specializes in designing and developing mechanical devices and equipment in adherence to industry or client needs. They may work for companies that produce medical, construction, or even manufacturing devices. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place of employment, they typically include conducting research and analysis, creating prototypes and test structures, coordinating with staff and fellow engineers, performing installations and repairs, and providing technical support to staff as needed. Moreover, a device engineer participates in developing and promoting safety standards and regulations for the products and the workplace.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Device engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Device Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,458 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $130,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a device engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Device Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between device engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Device Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.1% Female, 16.9% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 24.8% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |