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Electronics engineer vs computer engineer

The differences between electronics engineers and computer engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an electronics engineer, becoming a computer engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a computer engineer has an average salary of $96,805, which is higher than the $93,985 average annual salary of an electronics engineer.

The top three skills for an electronics engineer include analog, RF and power electronics. The most important skills for a computer engineer are python, software development, and java.

Electronics engineer vs computer engineer overview

Electronics EngineerComputer Engineer
Yearly salary$93,985$96,805
Hourly rate$45.19$46.54
Growth rate3%10%
Number of jobs83,870126,709
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4542
Years of experience62

What does an electronics engineer do?

An electronics engineer specializes in designing and developing electronic components and systems, ensuring efficiency in all aspects. They are primarily responsible for conducting tests and maintenance for systems, identifying any faults or inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures right away. Moreover, an electronics engineer must coordinate with clients to consult them on their needs and meet with other skilled engineers to ensure optimal quality of equipment. An electronics engineer may also perform administrative tasks, mainly to produce progress reports and presentations, manage schedules, and craft instructional written materials for all electronic systems.

What does a computer engineer do?

A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.

Electronics engineer vs computer engineer salary

Electronics engineers and computer engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electronics EngineerComputer Engineer
Average salary$93,985$96,805
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $129,000Between $70,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaWaymo
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between electronics engineer and computer engineer education

There are a few differences between an electronics engineer and a computer engineer in terms of educational background:

Electronics EngineerComputer Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityHarvard University

Electronics engineer vs computer engineer demographics

Here are the differences between electronics engineers' and computer engineers' demographics:

Electronics EngineerComputer Engineer
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 91.2% Female, 8.8%Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 15.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between electronics engineer and computer engineer duties and responsibilities

Electronics engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead manufacturing testing effort for VT-1 missile program.
  • Manage technicians throughout design, development, construction, testing, ISO quality assurance, and field/flight/wind tunnel test support phases.
  • Design automated lab system for troubleshooting HVAC PC boards in AMTRAK trains, to achieve shorter fault diagnostics time lab repairs.
  • Manage technicians during prototyping stage.
  • Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
  • Interface with firmware team to define and develop custom FPGA RTL.
  • Show more

Computer engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage electronic files using the PDM system.
  • Script VBA to automate the creation of installation documents.
  • Manage DNS and Kerberos infrastructure services for the computing center.
  • Manage and design UAT tests for new software release, delegate out tasks, and report results back to QA department.
  • Manage automation jobs within Jenkins.
  • Manage collaborative CSV documentation efforts using Microsoft SharePoint.
  • Show more

Electronics engineer vs computer engineer skills

Common electronics engineer skills
  • Analog, 6%
  • RF, 6%
  • Power Electronics, 6%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • PCB, 4%
Common computer engineer skills
  • Python, 15%
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Java, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • C, 5%
  • C++, 5%

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