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The differences between embedded software engineers and firmware 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 software engineer and a firmware engineer. Additionally, an embedded software engineer has an average salary of $102,143, which is higher than the $97,183 average annual salary of a firmware engineer.
The top three skills for an embedded software engineer include python, software development and linux. The most important skills for a firmware engineer are python, C, and C++.
| Embedded Software Engineer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,143 | $97,183 |
| Hourly rate | $49.11 | $46.72 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 171,613 | 99,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An embedded software engineer is an individual who develops and implements software of embedded devices and systems as well as monitor the efficiency and stability of the system. Embedded software engineers should write programming codes and conduct testing of system software to optimize the input/output (I/O) performance. They must support the software QA and provide post-production support if necessary. Embedded software engineers should interface with hardware design and development and assess third-party and open-source software.
The job of firmware engineers focuses on the hardware from which the software runs. They play an important role in supporting the life cycle of products from its development to implementation. Their duties typically include testing the product properly and troubleshooting technical issues in collaboration with other engineering personnel, evaluating the performance of the system and ensuring that it adheres to the company's standards, and analyzing the design and needs of a system. Firmware engineers are also responsible for improvising the software as requested by clients.
Embedded software engineers and firmware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Embedded Software Engineer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,143 | $97,183 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $134,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an embedded software engineer and a firmware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Embedded Software Engineer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between embedded software engineers' and firmware engineers' demographics:
| Embedded Software Engineer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.6% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |