Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between firmware developers and computer engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a firmware developer and a computer engineer. Additionally, a computer engineer has an average salary of $96,805, which is higher than the $87,481 average annual salary of a firmware developer.
The top three skills for a firmware developer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a computer engineer are python, software development, and java.
| Firmware Developer | Computer Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $96,805 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $46.54 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 126,709 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A firmware developer mainly develops firmware and designs hardware for online supervision systems and protocol converters. Firmware developers lead workflow resolution and automate the process by routing information to queues for flexible management of exceptions. They create test programs based on technology for maximum processor and firmware processor and memory. It is their job to implement features such as one-touch power windows, audio tones, and wipers. They also create client configuration, statistics, control, and general management functions.
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.
Firmware developers and computer engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Computer Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $96,805 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $70,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Waymo |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Finance |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and a computer engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Computer Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and computer engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Computer Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 52.3% 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 Percentage | 8% | 11% |