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The differences between electronics 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 an electronics engineer, becoming a hardware engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a hardware engineer has an average salary of $104,912, 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 hardware engineer are python, RF, and PCB.
| Electronics Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $93,985 | $104,912 |
| Hourly rate | $45.19 | $50.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 83,870 | 53,213 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
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.
Electronics engineers and hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electronics Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $93,985 | $104,912 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $129,000 | Between $77,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an electronics engineer and a hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Electronics Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electronics engineers' and hardware engineers' demographics:
| Electronics Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 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% |