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The differences between electrical engineers and hardware engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an electrical engineer and a hardware engineer. Additionally, a hardware engineer has an average salary of $104,912, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an electrical engineer include autocad, electrical systems and UL. The most important skills for a hardware engineer are python, RF, and PCB.
| Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,026 | $104,912 |
| Hourly rate | $38.95 | $50.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 68,536 | 53,213 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
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.
Electrical engineers and hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,026 | $104,912 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $109,000 | Between $77,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineer and a hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineers' and hardware engineers' demographics:
| Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% 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% |