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The differences between firmware developers and embedded 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 a firmware developer and an embedded systems engineer. Additionally, an embedded systems engineer has an average salary of $91,959, 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 systems engineer are embedded systems, python, and software development.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $91,959 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $44.21 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 77,484 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 systems engineer is responsible for monitoring and creating embedded network systems and servers to support business operations. Embedded systems engineers run multiple diagnostic tests to identify technical solutions that would increase the efficiency and stability of the systems. They must have excellent technical skills for network resolution, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to write scripts and generate support for data integration. An embedded systems engineer updates infrastructure to boost optimization and identify opportunities for enhancing engineering techniques.
Firmware developers and embedded systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $91,959 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $70,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Professional |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and an embedded systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and embedded systems engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Embedded Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 30.6% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |