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The differences between hardware test engineers and junior 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 test engineer, becoming a junior engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a hardware test engineer has an average salary of $108,602, which is higher than the $70,653 average annual salary of a junior engineer.
The top three skills for a hardware test engineer include python, test equipment and C++. The most important skills for a junior engineer are control systems, java, and C++.
| Hardware Test Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,602 | $70,653 |
| Hourly rate | $52.21 | $33.97 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 77,022 | 107,703 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A hardware test engineer is an IT professional who is responsible for designing, implementing, and executing plans to test computer hardware systems. Hardware test engineers must collaborate with design engineers and the program team to plan the execution of test plans through the entire product development cycle. They are required to develop technical specifications for testers and accepting test equipment from vendors. Hardware test engineers should also be highly knowledgeable in programming languages such as Python and C++.
A Junior Engineer helps design, build, or maintain engines, machines, or public works. They work under the supervision of an engineer.
Hardware test engineers and junior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Test Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,602 | $70,653 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $142,000 | Between $54,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a hardware test engineer and a junior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Test Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between hardware test engineers' and junior engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Test Engineer | Junior Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 30.6% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |