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The differences between hardware engineers and senior computer 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 senior computer engineer. Additionally, a senior computer engineer has an average salary of $127,660, 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 senior computer engineer are C++, CAD, and infrastructure.
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Computer Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $127,660 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $61.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 42,662 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 senior computer engineer's main goal is to conduct research and design different types of computer hardware and software systems. They must know to manage servers and create automation in projects. They should also know how to resolve network issues and troubleshoot problems.
Hardware engineers and senior computer engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Computer Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $127,660 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $94,000 And $173,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Retail |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a senior computer engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Computer Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and senior computer engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Computer Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7% |
| 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, 7.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 29.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |