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The differences between embedded engineers and systems 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 embedded engineer and a systems engineer. Additionally, an embedded engineer has an average salary of $95,419, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for an embedded engineer include python, C and C++. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Embedded Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $95,419 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $45.87 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 24,338 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Embedded engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Embedded Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $95,419 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $125,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an embedded engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Embedded Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between embedded engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Embedded Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |