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The differences between hardware engineers and senior staff engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a hardware engineer, becoming a senior staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior staff engineer has an average salary of $136,031, 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 staff engineer are python, java, and architecture.
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $136,031 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $65.40 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 239,752 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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 staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
Hardware engineers and senior staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $136,031 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $95,000 And $194,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a senior staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and senior staff engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Senior Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |