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The differences between hardware design engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a hardware design engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a hardware design engineer has an average salary of $106,135, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a hardware design engineer include RF, PCB and analog. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,135 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $51.03 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 69,000 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A hardware design engineer is an individual who develops, improves, and test components and systems for computers and other devices. Hardware design engineers must develop and design hardware components, such as circuit boards, switches, and networking elements. They are required to examine technological specifications and functional requirements as well as design components and systems that will deliver the expected performance. Hardware design engineers are also involved with manufacturing hardware, and they work closely with software engineers and developers during the development cycle.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Hardware design engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,135 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $139,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a hardware design engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between hardware design engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |