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Hardware manager vs computer hardware designer

The differences between hardware managers and computer hardware designers 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 manager and a computer hardware designer. Additionally, a hardware manager has an average salary of $140,910, which is higher than the $134,713 average annual salary of a computer hardware designer.

The top three skills for a hardware manager include RF, customer service and product knowledge. The most important skills for a computer hardware designer are CAD, PCB, and FPGA.

Hardware manager vs computer hardware designer overview

Hardware ManagerComputer Hardware Designer
Yearly salary$140,910$134,713
Hourly rate$67.75$64.77
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs4,20059,580
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Hardware manager vs computer hardware designer salary

Hardware managers and computer hardware designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hardware ManagerComputer Hardware Designer
Average salary$140,910$134,713
Salary rangeBetween $95,000 And $208,000Between $95,000 And $189,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyPalo Alto NetworksApple
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between hardware manager and computer hardware designer education

There are a few differences between a hardware manager and a computer hardware designer in terms of educational background:

Hardware ManagerComputer Hardware Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNortheastern University

Hardware manager vs computer hardware designer demographics

Here are the differences between hardware managers' and computer hardware designers' demographics:

Hardware ManagerComputer Hardware Designer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 80.4% Female, 19.6%Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 23.2% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 30.0% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between hardware manager and computer hardware designer duties and responsibilities

Hardware manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage employees and run cash registers.
  • Manage multiple PCB builds from initial protos to A0 and to production.
  • Manage a team that develop the XGEM Capture/Replay feature for 10G Ethernet.
  • Result achieve by reusing existing power and cables while installing new EMC DMX3 units.
  • Manage the regulatory approval process for all products including FCC, UL and CE.
  • Manage all endpoint moves adds and changes including PC's, phones, and mobile devices.
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Computer hardware designer example responsibilities.

  • Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
  • Optimize design, permitting implementation in a cheaper FPGA.
  • Redesign most of the FPGA circuitry dedicate to this reflection.
  • Provide concept drawings, proof of concept / prototyping, creating manufacturing drawings, and field support.
  • Work as a team member to gather, classify, and document the software, hardware, and firmware requirements.
  • Perform design specification and RTL implementation of functional units and 2D imaging memory controllers.
  • Show more

Hardware manager vs computer hardware designer skills

Common hardware manager skills
  • RF, 13%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Product Knowledge, 10%
  • CAD, 6%
  • Design Reviews, 5%
  • Direct Reports, 5%
Common computer hardware designer skills
  • CAD, 24%
  • PCB, 19%
  • FPGA, 16%
  • RF, 10%
  • Python, 9%
  • Hardware Development, 4%

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