Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between embedded engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an embedded engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an embedded engineer has an average salary of $95,419, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for an embedded engineer include python, C and C++. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Embedded Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,419 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $45.87 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 24,338 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Embedded engineers are skilled professionals who are responsible for conducting all activities that are related to embedded systems. These engineers are required to design and configure hardware components of embedded systems such as processor, controller, memory, and serial communication port. They must participate in reviewing the requirements, design, and source code of embedded systems as well as identify opportunities for software process and development cycle time improvements. Embedded engineers must troubleshoot malfunctioning embedded systems while providing written updates to managers and their clients.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Embedded engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Embedded Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $95,419 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $125,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Apple | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an embedded engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Embedded Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between embedded engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Embedded Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 31.7% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 5% |