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The differences between hardware design engineers and verification 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 hardware design engineer and a verification engineer. Additionally, a hardware design engineer has an average salary of $106,135, which is higher than the $104,158 average annual salary of a verification engineer.
The top three skills for a hardware design engineer include RF, PCB and analog. The most important skills for a verification engineer are python, UVM, and architecture.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Verification Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,135 | $104,158 |
| Hourly rate | $51.03 | $50.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 69,000 | 38,261 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A verification engineer is responsible for running quality tests to the production processes to ensure high-quality outputs according to business requirements and client specifications. Verification engineers develop testing methodologies, inspect tools and equipment, and creating instructional manuals. They also resolve inconsistencies within the process, calibrating technical mechanisms, and identifying areas of improvement to enhance efficiency and build accurate deliverables. A verification engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in monitoring progress and coordinating with clients for necessary plan adjustments.
Hardware design engineers and verification engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Verification Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,135 | $104,158 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $139,000 | Between $75,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Concord, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a hardware design engineer and a verification engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Verification Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between hardware design engineers' and verification engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Verification Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% | Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2% |
| 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, 5.4% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 34.1% White, 47.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |