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The differences between firmware developers and embedded 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 an embedded engineer. Additionally, an embedded engineer has an average salary of $95,419, 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 an embedded engineer are python, C, and C++.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $95,419 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $45.87 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 24,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| 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.
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.
Firmware developers and embedded engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $95,419 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $72,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Professional |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and an embedded engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and embedded engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 31.7% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |