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The differences between firmware engineers and embedded software developers 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 an embedded software developer. Additionally, a firmware engineer has an average salary of $97,183, which is higher than the $89,506 average annual salary of an embedded software developer.
The top three skills for a firmware engineer include python, C and C++. The most important skills for an embedded software developer are python, software development, and linux.
| Firmware Engineer | Embedded Software Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $97,183 | $89,506 |
| Hourly rate | $46.72 | $43.03 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 99,014 | 257,508 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| 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.
An embedded software developer designs and develops software embedded into systems and devices. They are primarily in charge of writing codes that implement systems and solutions, ensuring the embedded software adheres to project goals and requirements. They also develop test structures to find and improve weaknesses, troubleshoot issues, monitor systems, and perform regular maintenance checks. Most embedded software developers work in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Firmware engineers and embedded software developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Engineer | Embedded Software Developer | |
| Average salary | $97,183 | $89,506 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $129,000 | Between $68,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a firmware engineer and an embedded software developer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Engineer | Embedded Software Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between firmware engineers' and embedded software developers' demographics:
| Firmware Engineer | Embedded Software Developer | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 31.0% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |