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The differences between digital design engineers and hardware 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 digital design engineer, becoming a hardware engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a digital design engineer has an average salary of $108,993, which is higher than the $104,912 average annual salary of a hardware engineer.
The top three skills for a digital design engineer include digital design, synthesis and verilog. The most important skills for a hardware engineer are python, RF, and PCB.
| Digital Design Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,993 | $104,912 |
| Hourly rate | $52.40 | $50.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 87,167 | 53,213 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A digital design engineer is responsible for developing technology solutions to create digital content and improve its marketing factors in various media platforms. Digital design engineers research the current trends in the technology industry to provide timely deliverables according to business requirements and client specifications. They also identify cost-efficient techniques and resources for outputs and ensure that the product maintains or exceeds high-quality standards. A digital design engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to navigate different network platforms and assess the feasibility of every design.
Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware. The hardware engineers oversee the installation of parts, manufacturing, and production. Also, they examine intricate equipment to identify an effective way to improve it as well as design devices used in manufactured products. Another responsibility is to ensure computer hardware units work with the newest software, which often requires collaboration with other software engineers.
Digital design engineers and hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Digital Design Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,993 | $104,912 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $143,000 | Between $77,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a digital design engineer and a hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Digital Design Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between digital design engineers' and hardware engineers' demographics:
| Digital Design Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 19.9% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 30.3% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |