Salary Computer Engineer

Computer engineers are responsible for working with the many components of modern technology, including hardware, software, networks, and systems. They are responsible for the design and implementation of everything, from the smallest computer chips to the most extensive and complex communication networks. Additionally, they put their hardware ideas to the test and make adjustments where necessary. The significance of computers in almost every facet of contemporary life is reflected in the comparatively high wage that is offered to computer engineers.

Different Categories of Computer Engineers

Hardware and software engineers are the two primary specializations in the field of computer science. While hardware engineers concentrate on the hardware of computing devices and the components that make them up, software engineers, who are often referred to as software developers, are concerned with the computer code that controls how the devices function. In addition to working on personal computers (PCs) and even the most powerful supercomputers, hardware and software engineers design, construct, and manage the computer-based systems that are found in cellphones, household appliances, automobiles, airplanes, and a wide variety of other consumer goods.

The discipline of computer engineering covers a large amount of ground. When it comes to the design of circuits, some hardware engineers perform duties that are comparable to those of electrical engineers. Others who assemble complicated networks may choose to concentrate on software architecture, which is part of the toolkit that computer scientists bring to the table. Students interested in pursuing a degree in computer engineering may choose from a variety of programs offered by today's institutions, depending on whether they want to focus on working primarily with computer hardware or with a mix of hardware and software.

Compensation for Computer Hardware Engineers

According to the United States Department of Labor, which compiles statistics on the salaries of computer engineers, the median wage for computer engineers in the United States in 2017 was $115,120. At this point, fifty percent of engineers earned more money, while the other fifty percent made less. Over $176,900 was the average salary for those in the top 10 percent of wage earners. The bottom 10 percent had incomes that were lower than $66,290.

Some sectors provide more lucrative compensation packages for computer engineers than others. As an example, the semiconductor business had a median pay of $130,150 in the year 2017. In the field of scientific research and development, a computer engineer may earn a median annual compensation of $126,670. This is another lucrative field for computer engineers. With a median pay of $111,550, computer engineers working for the federal government were among the lowest earners of all occupations surveyed.

Becoming an Engineer Specialized in Computer Hardware

The majority of employment in computer engineering at the entry level need a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering (BSCE) or in a related subject, such as Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Particularly in fields where research is an integral part of the job, some roles call for a master's or doctoral degree. While they are receiving their degree, many students choose to acquire experience in the field by doing internships or working as assistant engineers.

Engineers of computers vs programmers of software

Software developers create computer programs, but they do not often work on the underlying technology of computers. The majority of them have a computer science degree of at least the bachelor's level. The majority of their time in school is spent learning about software architecture and computer programming using languages such as Java and Python. Their training at the university may involve some fundamental computer hardware lessons. Software developers may spend their working hours developing apps such as video games or word processors, or they may work on the system software that is responsible for running computers and networks.

In 2017, the median yearly salary for software engineers was $101,790. The top 10 percent of developers earned more than $160,100 in annual salary and compensation. The bottom 10 percent had incomes that were lower than $59,870. Software publishing, manufacturing, the financial and insurance sectors, and other related fields offered the greatest salaries to software developers.

The current state of employment for computer engineers

Although technological advancement has occurred at a breakneck speed over the course of the last several decades, the U.S. Department of Labor projects that job opportunities for computer engineers will increase by just 5 percent between 2016 and 2026, rising from 73,600 engineers to 77,600. This growth rate is about average when compared to that of other vocations. In contrast, it is anticipated that the number of people employed as software developers would increase by 31 percent over the same time, going from 1.2 million to 1.5 million. This disparity may be explained, according to the Department of Labor, by the increasing demand for new software goods in comparison to new hardware devices.