RTL designer/Verification Engineer Compensation vs Software Engineer

Cadence
cblind

Go to company page Cadence

cblind
Feb 17, 2018 8 Comments

I see a lot of data points for software engineer compensation on Blind, but almost none for hardware engineers, like RTL designers or verification engineers. Other sources like Glassador, Paysa, also don't seem reliable on this area. I can imagine why there is less information for hardware guys, but I was wondering if Blind fellows can help me out with some data

Any ideas of better sources of information on hardware guys compensation? How do you think it compares to software engineers? Is FAANG where you could probably get the best salaries even though they are not so focused on hardware like Intel, ARM, Nvidia, Qualcomm, ...?

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TOP 8 Comments
  • Apple
    Veet51

    Go to company page Apple

    Veet51
    To say that Apple isn't so focused on hardware like these other companies is a joke, to put it mildly.
    Feb 17, 2018 2
    • Cadence
      cblind

      Go to company page Cadence

      cblind
      OP
      I agree with you. And to be honest I was reluctant to add Apple on the same basket as FANG (with one A) for this specific question. But I guess the motivation to put it on a different group from Intel, ARM, ... it's that these companies sell chips, IPs and not products that use them

      This makes a big difference because in the end of the day a Apple may have a good product even if their chips are not the best (and I'm not saying that they aren't), Apple gets money from services, Apple has a lot of software, ... But that's not so true for Intel and friends

      But since you brought this up, do you think that Apple has a better pay in the hardware groups than FANG?
      Feb 17, 2018
    • Apple
      Veet51

      Go to company page Apple

      Veet51
      The hardware groups at these other companies aren't as well established as Apple's as far as I can tell, so I can't really compare them.
      Feb 17, 2018
  • Qualcomm / Eng
    oiiy

    Go to company page Qualcomm Eng

    PRE
    Intel
    BIO
    ASIC
    oiiy
    7 years of exp and 170k TC in San Diego. Blind is depressing
    Feb 17, 2018 0
  • New / Eng
    Yoyoma1233

    Go to company page New Eng

    Yoyoma1233
    I started at 100k base (and 130k TC) in 2013 and I’m up to 155k base (350k TC) now.

    I know it’s not as much as FANG SWE comp, but hey, I like it for the most part and I’m good at what I do.

    I mostly write software anyway (infrastructure for verification, performance modeling, etc.).
    Feb 17, 2018 3
    • Cadence
      cblind

      Go to company page Cadence

      cblind
      OP
      350k sounds pretty good to me. Is this in California? Do you mind sharing the company?

      By the way, my intent with the post is to see if I could use software engineer salaries as a reference. I'm not trying to see what pays more to make a move. I enjoy working with RTL too
      Feb 18, 2018
    • Cadence / Eng
      Godsguy

      Go to company page Cadence Eng

      BIO
      AE4 at Cadence
      Godsguy
      Could you share the company name and location? With 155k base and 350k yearly TC, you get 195k bonus+rsus per year? Thats hard to believe for a hardware role..
      Nov 27, 2018