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The differences between firmware developers and 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 a systems engineer. Additionally, a firmware developer has an average salary of $87,481, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a firmware developer include python, java and software development. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Firmware Developer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,481 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $42.06 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 78,552 | 145,936 |
| 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.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Firmware developers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Developer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $87,481 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $117,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Parsons | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a firmware developer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Developer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between firmware developers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Developer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |