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Computer Hardware Engineer vs Software Developer: what changes?

Consider Computer Hardware Engineer if you want to research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Consider Software Developer if you would rather research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Hardware Engineer and Software Developer. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Computer Hardware Engineer

National median pay (2025)
$161,740
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
4,100
Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer Hardware Engineer brief

Software Developer

National median pay (2025)
$135,980
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
95,300
Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Software Developer brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Software Developer has the edge on annual openings

Software Developer is at 95,300 annual openings, compared with 4,100 annual openings for Computer Hardware Engineer.

2

Computer Hardware Engineer has the edge on median pay

Computer Hardware Engineer is at $161,740, compared with $135,980 for Software Developer.

3

Software Developer has the edge on projected growth

Software Developer is at 10.2% projected growth, compared with 9.1% projected growth for Computer Hardware Engineer.

69.8/ 100

Computer Hardware Engineer

vs
83.4/ 100

Software Developer

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Software Developer

DimensionComputer Hardware EngineerSoftware Developer
Median pay (2025)$161,740$135,980
Pay percentile96 percentile93.5 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)9.1%10.2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)4,10095,300
2025 employment76,1001,717,800
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 4
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Hardware Engineer briefRead Software Developer brief

Try another comparison

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electrical Engineer

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Computer Hardware Engineer
$161,740 · 9.1% growth
Electrical Engineer
$120,630 · 9.9% growth
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Software Developer
$135,980 · 10.2% growth
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$129,180 · 21% growth
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Software Developer vs Data Scientist

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Software Developer
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Data Scientist
$120,230 · 34.6% growth
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ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.