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The differences between firmware engineers and computer 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 engineer and a computer engineer. Additionally, a firmware engineer has an average salary of $97,183, which is higher than the $96,805 average annual salary of a computer engineer.
The top three skills for a firmware engineer include python, C and C++. The most important skills for a computer engineer are python, software development, and java.
| Firmware Engineer | Computer Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,183 | $96,805 |
| Hourly rate | $46.72 | $46.54 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 99,014 | 126,709 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.
Firmware engineers and computer engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Engineer | Computer Engineer | |
| Average salary | $97,183 | $96,805 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $129,000 | Between $70,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Waymo |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a firmware engineer and a computer engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Engineer | Computer Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware engineers' and computer engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Engineer | Computer Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |