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The differences between principal hardware engineers and principal 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 principal hardware engineer, becoming a principal software engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a principal software engineer has an average salary of $134,230, which is higher than the $131,734 average annual salary of a principal hardware engineer.
The top three skills for a principal hardware engineer include RF, architecture and C++. The most important skills for a principal software engineer are java, python, and software development.
| Principal Hardware Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $131,734 | $134,230 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $64.53 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 88,049 | 345,893 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Principal hardware engineers and principal software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Hardware Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average salary | $131,734 | $134,230 |
| Salary range | Between $98,000 And $176,000 | Between $98,000 And $182,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Retail |
There are a few differences between a principal hardware engineer and a principal software engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Hardware Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between principal hardware engineers' and principal software engineers' demographics:
| Principal Hardware Engineer | Principal Software Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.0% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |