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The differences between hardware engineers and lead hardware 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 lead hardware engineer. Additionally, a lead hardware engineer has an average salary of $121,252, 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 lead hardware engineer are RF, system design, and FPGA.
| Hardware Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $121,252 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $58.29 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 39,713 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 lead hardware engineer partners with the mechanical engineering team and product team to design and define brand new hardware products. They lead the development of connectors, firmware protocols, cards, electric chargers, controllers, and chips. Besides supervising electrical and hardware engineers, lead hardware engineers also work hand-in-hand with business analysts, software engineers, and project managers. Other duties performed by lead hardware engineers include component sourcing and performing technical specification and technical requirements analysis. Also, they provide solutions for complicated material handling and paper challenges.
Hardware engineers and lead hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $121,252 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $89,000 And $163,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a lead hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and lead hardware engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Lead Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 29.5% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |