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The differences between hardware engineers and 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 staff engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a staff engineer has an average salary of $107,530, 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 staff engineer are java, python, and architecture.
| Hardware Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $104,912 | $107,530 |
| Hourly rate | $50.44 | $51.70 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 53,213 | 277,011 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| 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.
Staff engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and inspecting various products, equipment, or structures. These professionals may perform varied duties depending on their specialization that includes overseeing the design and construction of buildings, bridges, sewer systems, and other infrastructure, estimating the financial costs of construction projects, and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws and regulations. Other duties include designing and developing machinery, tools, and engines, solving design problems, and building the manufacturing equipment needed to create their products.
Hardware engineers and staff engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average salary | $104,912 | $107,530 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $142,000 | Between $69,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Flexport |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a hardware engineer and a staff engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between hardware engineers' and staff engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Engineer | Staff Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% |
| 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% |