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What is a hardware/firmware engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a hardware/firmware engineer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $46.88 an hour? That's $97,508 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 3,700 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreHardware/Firmware EngineerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,508

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 30.19%

Black or African American 4.70%

Hispanic or Latino 10.32%

Unknown 2.89%

White 51.47%

Gender

female 3.42%

male 96.58%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Hardware/firmware engineer career paths

Key steps to become a hardware/firmware engineer

  1. Explore hardware/firmware engineer education requirements

    Most common hardware/firmware engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    77.1 %

    Master's

    17.1 %

    Associate

    3.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific hardware/firmware engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Firmware15.08%
    Python6.33%
    FPGA5.14%
    USB4.34%
    RF4.19%
  3. Complete relevant hardware/firmware engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hardware/firmware engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hardware/firmware engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hardware/firmware engineer resumes.
  4. Research hardware/firmware engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
    • Lead of several team/manufacturers to manufacture RF circuitry, the controller programming and the USB interface.
    • Create full Ethernet TCP/IP stack and testing.
    • Design and implement the VHDL code for the FPGA.
  5. Prepare your hardware/firmware engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hardware/firmware engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hardware/firmware engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable hardware/firmware engineer resume templates

    Build a professional hardware/firmware engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your hardware/firmware engineer resume.
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
    Hardware/Firmware Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for hardware/firmware engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a hardware/firmware engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first hardware/firmware engineer job

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Average hardware/firmware engineer salary

The average hardware/firmware engineer salary in the United States is $97,508 per year or $47 per hour. Hardware/firmware engineer salaries range between $52,000 and $179,000 per year.

Average hardware/firmware engineer salary
$97,508 Yearly
$46.88 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do hardware/firmware engineers rate their job?

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Hardware/firmware engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros

Developing new technologies and working with both hardware and software


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Repairing rebuilding and diagnosising laptop and desktop computers. Along with trouble shooting and giving sound advice

Cons

Can't think of anything


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Hardware Design Engineer's are few intellectuals in a company who has exposure to all the aspects of product life cycle. It needs versatile knowledge of all most of the things. I feel passionate dealing with electronics components and analyzing them. It is a flexible job. It is a Real time job.

Cons

At times software development team questions on hardware design without looking the code running the stuff irritates Must have some knowledge of coding as well


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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