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The differences between hardware test engineers and system test 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 system test engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a hardware test engineer has an average salary of $108,602, which is higher than the $100,751 average annual salary of a system test engineer.
The top three skills for a hardware test engineer include python, test equipment and C++. The most important skills for a system test engineer are python, test procedures, and C++.
| Hardware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $108,602 | $100,751 |
| Hourly rate | $52.21 | $48.44 |
| Growth rate | 5% | - |
| Number of jobs | 77,022 | 131,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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 system test engineer is responsible for performing diagnostic tests on computer systems and applications, measuring its performance and efficiency, and recommending technical solutions as needed. System test engineers assist in system configuration and network infrastructure, ensuring that the deliverables meet the business requirements and project specifications. They should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages, to automate scripts for quality check methodologies. A system test engineer coordinates with the technology team in improving the user interface, including navigation and server stability.
Hardware test engineers and system test engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average salary | $108,602 | $100,751 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $142,000 | Between $76,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | Petaluma, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Professional |
There are a few differences between a hardware test engineer and a system test engineer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between hardware test engineers' and system test engineers' demographics:
| Hardware Test Engineer | System Test Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 11% |