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The differences between firmware developers 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 a firmware developer and a firmware engineer. Additionally, a firmware engineer has an average salary of $97,183, 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 firmware engineer are python, C, and C++.
| Firmware Developer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $97,183 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $46.72 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 99,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
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.
Firmware developers and firmware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $97,183 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $73,000 And $129,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and a firmware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and firmware engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Firmware Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% |
| 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, 31.6% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |