SOC 172061

Computer Hardware Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. Excludes "Software Developers" (15-1252) and "Web Developers" (15-1254).

National Median

$155,020

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$155,020

Entry Level (10th pct)

$85,430

Experienced (90th pct)

$223,820

Total Employed

75,710

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$85,430 - $115,500
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$115,500 - $185,380
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$185,380 - $223,820

Highest Paying Locations for Computer Hardware Engineers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$197,090

+27.1% vs national

Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT

$188,540

+21.6% vs national

Connecticut

$188,540

+21.6% vs national

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

$184,560

+19.1% vs national

California

$179,880

+16.0% vs national

Computer Hardware Engineers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$197,090	9,320
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$188,540	280
Connecticut	$188,540	480
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$184,560	40
California	$179,880	24,200
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$174,070	1,150
Washington	$174,070	1,370
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$172,920	5,090
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$170,570	2,960
Massachusetts	$170,570	3,350
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$170,360	160
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$169,230	3,200
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$165,020	580
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$164,970	160
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$164,640	360
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$164,620	40
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$163,220	3,200
Arizona	$163,090	3,390
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$162,960	80
Colorado	$162,920	2,920
Winston-Salem, NC	$159,310	N/A
Hawaii	$155,390	140
Worcester, MA	$154,210	170
District of Columbia	$153,630	160
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$153,340	2,060
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$153,340	840
New Hampshire	$152,840	290
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$152,260	570
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$150,630	720
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$146,450	N/A
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$144,080	N/A
Binghamton, NY	$143,420	N/A
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$142,890	40
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$142,560	50
Boulder, CO	$142,200	480
New York	$141,780	2,500
Montana	$141,680	50
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$140,890	2,160
Urban Honolulu, HI	$140,150	110
Virginia	$139,570	1,840
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$139,400	600
Huntsville, AL	$139,270	650
Columbus, OH	$138,270	80
Maryland	$137,930	2,420
Colorado Springs, CO	$137,270	520
Syracuse, NY	$137,170	110
Alabama	$136,660	800
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$136,330	1,390
Alaska	$136,080	40
Anchorage, AK	$136,080	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Computer Hardware Engineers?

The national median annual salary for Computer Hardware Engineers is $155,020, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Computer Hardware Engineerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Computer Hardware Engineerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $197,090.

How much can an experienced Computer Hardware Engineers make?

Top-earning Computer Hardware Engineerss (90th percentile) make $223,820 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.