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The differences between managers, hardware engineering and software 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 manager, hardware engineering, becoming a software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a manager, hardware engineering has an average salary of $148,792, which is higher than the $100,260 average annual salary of a software engineer.
The top three skills for a manager, hardware engineering include RF, hardware engineering and hardware development. The most important skills for a software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Manager, Hardware Engineering | Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $148,792 | $100,260 |
| Hourly rate | $71.53 | $48.20 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 63,636 | 339,938 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Managerial experience is a must if you want to be a hardware engineering manager. Mainly, they are tasked to oversee and monitor everything that is happening in an engineering department. They need to ensure that all the hardware equipment and products are being utilized properly and orderly. Engineering managers coordinate with the suppliers, contractors, manufacturers as well as clients to provide them a quality of service.
A software engineer is a computer science professional who is responsible for the development of information systems, designing and building computer systems software and applications software. They often prefer to call themselves as a software developer or computer programmer. They have substantial knowledge of programming languages, software development, and computer operating systems, and other technologies. They use these to turn a plan into a final output. They can create a design, test, and develop software based on the needs of their clients.
Managers, hardware engineering and software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manager, Hardware Engineering | Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $148,792 | $100,260 |
| Salary range | Between $111,000 And $198,000 | Between $73,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, WA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a manager, hardware engineering and a software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Manager, Hardware Engineering | Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between managers, hardware engineering' and software engineers' demographics:
| Manager, Hardware Engineering | Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 78.0% Female, 22.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 34.0% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |