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The differences between hardware engineers and hardware design 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 engineer and a hardware design engineer. Additionally, a hardware design engineer has an average salary of $106,135, which is higher than the $104,912 average annual salary of a hardware engineer.
The top three skills for a hardware engineer include python, RF and PCB. The most important skills for a hardware design engineer are RF, PCB, and analog.
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Design Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $106,135 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $51.03 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 69,000 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware. The hardware engineers oversee the installation of parts, manufacturing, and production. Also, they examine intricate equipment to identify an effective way to improve it as well as design devices used in manufactured products. Another responsibility is to ensure computer hardware units work with the newest software, which often requires collaboration with other software engineers.
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.
Hardware engineers and hardware design engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Design Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $106,135 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $80,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Bothell, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a hardware design engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Design Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and hardware design engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Design Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 30.3% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |