Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal electrical engineers and hardware engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a principal electrical engineer and a hardware engineer. Additionally, a principal electrical engineer has an average salary of $121,822, which is higher than the $104,912 average annual salary of a hardware engineer.
The top three skills for a principal electrical engineer include electrical engineering, RF and analog. The most important skills for a hardware engineer are python, RF, and PCB.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $121,822 | $104,912 |
| Hourly rate | $58.57 | $50.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 112,926 | 53,213 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A principal electrical engineer is responsible for overseeing the development of electrical systems and projects. Because of their expertise, they have the responsibility to spearhead electrical projects from planning to execution, set goals and budgets, establish guidelines, develop test structures, and create strategies to optimize operations. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a principal electrical engineer, it is essential to manage staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware. The hardware engineers oversee the installation of parts, manufacturing, and production. Also, they examine intricate equipment to identify an effective way to improve it as well as design devices used in manufactured products. Another responsibility is to ensure computer hardware units work with the newest software, which often requires collaboration with other software engineers.
Principal electrical engineers and hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $121,822 | $104,912 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $159,000 | Between $77,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a principal electrical engineer and a hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between principal electrical engineers' and hardware engineers' demographics:
| Principal Electrical Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.4% Female, 6.6% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 15.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 30.3% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |