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The differences between senior electronic engineers and hardware engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior electronic engineer, becoming a hardware engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior electronic engineer has an average salary of $106,931, which is higher than the $104,912 average annual salary of a hardware engineer.
The top three skills for a senior electronic engineer include power electronics, analog and C++. The most important skills for a hardware engineer are python, RF, and PCB.
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,931 | $104,912 |
| Hourly rate | $51.41 | $50.44 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 63,815 | 53,213 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A Senior Electronics Engineer is responsible for the directive development of communication systems, the field support design, equipment modifications, and technical issuances. This position demands knowledge in applied engineering principles to analyze and test electronic system performances or applications, technical documentation, producing engineering prototypes, and developing software. These professionals work with different equipment, from phones to PCs and even medical equipment or military systems. A Senior Electronics Engineer's tasks include checking the quality of the equipment they are using and ensuring that projects are cost-efficient, completed on time, and safe.
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.
Senior electronic engineers and hardware engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average salary | $106,931 | $104,912 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $141,000 | Between $77,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a senior electronic engineer and a hardware engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between senior electronic engineers' and hardware engineers' demographics:
| Senior Electronic Engineer | Hardware Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7% | Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 15.9% White, 63.5% 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% |