Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between hardware engineers and hardware technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a hardware engineer has an average salary of $104,912, which is higher than the $47,851 average annual salary of a hardware technician.
The top three skills for a hardware engineer include python, RF and PCB. The most important skills for a hardware technician are customer service, technical support, and network printers.
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $47,851 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $23.01 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 85,174 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| 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 technician is typically in charge of providing technical support to clients or employees, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. In a company setting, a hardware technician is responsible for performing initial assessments on computer hardware, troubleshooting, diagnosing problems, and providing step by step solutions to solve the issues. They may also perform corrective repairs on problems and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of equipment. Furthermore, as a hardware technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Hardware engineers and hardware technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Technician | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $47,851 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $32,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a hardware technician in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and hardware technicians' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 11% |