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The differences between firmware developers and embedded software 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 software engineer. Additionally, an embedded software engineer has an average salary of $102,143, 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 software engineer are python, software development, and linux.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $102,143 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $49.11 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 171,613 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
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.
Firmware developers and embedded software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $102,143 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $77,000 And $134,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and an embedded software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and embedded software engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |