Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between firmware test engineers and system test engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a firmware test engineer and a system test engineer. Additionally, a system test engineer has an average salary of $100,751, which is higher than the $84,319 average annual salary of a firmware test engineer.
The top three skills for a firmware test engineer include python, firmware and test automation. The most important skills for a system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Firmware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,319 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $40.54 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | 5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 25,699 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Firmware engineers are technical experts who work on programming various devices. They have extensive knowledge of coding and software development. Firmware engineers must understand several programming languages, with the specifics depending on their industry. Designing code and testing proper functionality are additional job responsibilities.
A system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Firmware test engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Firmware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,319 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $114,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a firmware test engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Firmware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between firmware test engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Firmware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |