Computer hardware engineer salary
BLS occupation: Computer Hardware Engineers · also called computer engineer · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $161,740 a year, US
Median hourly pay $77.76 an hour
Middle half earn $126,090–$202,990 25th to 75th percentile
Computer hardware engineers employed 76,660 +9.1% projected by 2035
How much does a computer hardware engineer make?
- The median computer hardware engineer salary in the US is $161,740 a year ($77.76 an hour): half of the 76,660 computer hardware engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $162,670.
- The middle half earn between $126,090 and $202,990. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $92,940 and the top 10% more than $225,330.
- That is 3.2 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays computer hardware engineers the most (median $185,180), followed by Washington ($169,120) and Massachusetts ($167,600). Mississippi pays the least ($78,320).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Mexico, where the median is worth $179,315 in typical US prices, then Texas and California. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In all 90 metro areas with data, the median computer hardware engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of computer hardware engineers to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 4,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what computer hardware engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Computer hardware engineer salary range
Half of computer hardware engineers earn between $126,090 and $202,990 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $92,940
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $126,090
Median Yearly pay: $161,740
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $202,990
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $225,330
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $92,940 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $126,090 |
| Median | $161,740 |
| Top 25% earn over | $202,990 |
| Top 10% earn over | $225,330 |
Computer hardware engineer salary by state
California pays computer hardware engineers the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($161,740), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $185,180 median |
| Washington | $169,120 median |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 median |
| New Mexico | $165,350 median |
| Texas | $163,860 median |
| New York | $163,470 median |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 median |
| Hawaii | $159,880 median |
| Arizona | $158,280 median |
| Colorado | $156,080 median |
| Maryland | $152,730 median |
| New Jersey | $142,880 median |
| Virginia | $139,030 median |
| Alabama | $136,990 median |
| Delaware | $135,690 median |
| Nebraska | $134,950 median |
| North Carolina | $134,670 median |
| Minnesota | $134,300 median |
| Florida | $134,160 median |
| Illinois | $133,220 median |
| Idaho | $131,570 median |
| Tennessee | $130,830 median |
| New Hampshire | $129,140 median |
| Iowa | $125,120 median |
| South Carolina | $125,110 median |
| Arkansas | $120,290 median |
| Michigan | $119,670 median |
| Rhode Island | $119,510 median |
| Ohio | $118,160 median |
| Nevada | $116,530 median |
| Kentucky | $116,200 median |
| Utah | $106,950 median |
| Missouri | $103,980 median |
| Kansas | $101,750 median |
| South Dakota | $101,400 median |
| Georgia | $100,210 median |
| Indiana | $98,350 median |
| Oklahoma | $95,600 median |
| Wisconsin | $83,670 median |
| Louisiana | $83,550 median |
| Mississippi | $78,320 median |
Where computer hardware engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Computer hardware engineers' pay goes furthest in New Mexico once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $179,315 |
| Texas | $168,829 |
| California | $167,251 |
| Massachusetts | $158,477 |
| Washington | $158,037 |
| Arizona | $157,216 |
| Alabama | $154,228 |
| New York | $151,472 |
| Colorado | $151,458 |
| Nebraska | $149,773 |
Computer hardware engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $185,180 | $89.03 | $126,590 | $281,210 | 19,820 | $167,251 |
| Washington | $169,120 | $81.31 | $100,120 | $260,210 | 1,800 | $158,037 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 | $80.58 | $118,490 | $258,880 | 3,150 | $158,477 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 | $79.50 | $117,150 | $204,150 | 5,260 | $179,315 |
| Texas | $163,860 | $78.78 | $92,940 | $216,260 | 7,390 | $168,829 |
| New York | $163,470 | $78.59 | $101,530 | $224,490 | 3,020 | $151,472 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 | $78.54 | $100,690 | $211,950 | 210 | $148,643 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 | $76.87 | $94,270 | $202,980 | 90 | $145,410 |
| Arizona | $158,280 | $76.10 | $100,900 | $218,440 | 3,110 | $157,216 |
| Colorado | $156,080 | $75.04 | $100,050 | $222,220 | 2,660 | $151,458 |
| Maryland | $152,730 | $73.43 | $87,840 | $198,300 | 1,720 | $145,514 |
| New Jersey | $142,880 | $68.69 | $87,540 | $210,900 | 580 | $131,317 |
| Virginia | $139,030 | $66.84 | $87,630 | $195,290 | 1,720 | $137,512 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | $65.86 | $80,680 | $195,190 | 680 | $154,228 |
| Delaware | $135,690 | $65.24 | $96,140 | $200,240 | 30 | $135,951 |
| Nebraska | $134,950 | $64.88 | $96,910 | $173,350 | 80 | $149,773 |
| North Carolina | $134,670 | $64.75 | $74,310 | $234,390 | 1,340 | $142,771 |
| Minnesota | $134,300 | $64.57 | $84,770 | $176,340 | 770 | $136,178 |
| Florida | $134,160 | $64.50 | $77,680 | $203,510 | 3,290 | $129,731 |
| Illinois | $133,220 | $64.05 | $77,420 | $210,100 | 1,420 | $133,276 |
| Idaho | $131,570 | $63.25 | $85,230 | $212,880 | 920 | $137,778 |
| Tennessee | $130,830 | $62.90 | $96,300 | $167,030 | – | $142,408 |
| New Hampshire | $129,140 | $62.09 | $75,740 | $202,720 | 310 | $123,976 |
| Iowa | $125,120 | $60.15 | $77,480 | $187,980 | 130 | $142,567 |
| South Carolina | $125,110 | $60.15 | $74,990 | $171,540 | 690 | $133,452 |
| Arkansas | $120,290 | $57.83 | $70,870 | $166,450 | 160 | $138,365 |
| Michigan | $119,670 | $57.53 | $78,240 | $176,700 | 1,420 | $124,375 |
| Rhode Island | $119,510 | $57.46 | $80,620 | $158,570 | 390 | $116,846 |
| Ohio | $118,160 | $56.81 | $75,240 | $196,680 | 580 | $127,363 |
| Nevada | $116,530 | $56.02 | $83,310 | $155,020 | 160 | $116,554 |
| Kentucky | $116,200 | $55.87 | $71,400 | $128,050 | 500 | $128,883 |
| Utah | $106,950 | $51.42 | $72,550 | $168,320 | 430 | $108,179 |
| Missouri | $103,980 | $49.99 | $61,290 | $150,050 | 900 | $114,494 |
| Kansas | $101,750 | $48.92 | $74,520 | $145,800 | 220 | $112,970 |
| South Dakota | $101,400 | $48.75 | $78,040 | $150,110 | 160 | $114,465 |
| Georgia | $100,210 | $48.18 | $70,920 | $165,610 | 650 | $104,068 |
| Indiana | $98,350 | $47.28 | $73,780 | $136,970 | 320 | $105,380 |
| Oklahoma | $95,600 | $45.96 | $77,150 | $171,560 | 180 | $108,831 |
| Wisconsin | $83,670 | $40.23 | $68,330 | $172,820 | 270 | $88,921 |
| Louisiana | $83,550 | $40.17 | $47,840 | $150,290 | 270 | $94,720 |
| Mississippi | $78,320 | $37.65 | $68,770 | $140,650 | 150 | $90,072 |
BLS does not publish pay for computer hardware engineers in 10 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Computer hardware engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes computer hardware engineer pay: 91 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $209,860
- San Francisco, CA $203,890
- Bridgeport, CT $202,390
- Durham, NC $175,110
- San Diego, CA $174,440
- Manchester, NH $174,140
- Allentown, PA $172,210
- Santa Cruz, CA $169,370
- Seattle, WA $169,120
- Fort Collins, CO $168,990
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $190,051
- Bridgeport, CT $189,390
- Cedar Rapids, IA $181,154
- Durham, NC $179,467
- San Francisco, CA $176,356
- Allentown, PA $172,265
- Austin, TX $168,794
- Fort Collins, CO $167,105
- Manchester, NH $164,816
- Utica, NY $163,286
All 91 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $209,860 | 7,940 | $190,051 | 22% |
| San Francisco, CA | $203,890 | 2,810 | $176,356 | 20% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $202,390 | 120 | $189,390 | 17% |
| Durham, NC | $175,110 | 430 | $179,467 | 11% |
| San Diego, CA | $174,440 | 3,330 | $155,907 | 20% |
| Manchester, NH | $174,140 | 130 | $164,816 | 15% |
| Allentown, PA | $172,210 | 190 | $172,265 | 13% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $169,370 | 80 | $154,118 | 25% |
| Seattle, WA | $169,120 | 1,410 | $152,178 | 16% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $168,990 | 490 | $167,105 | 14% |
| Boston, MA | $167,600 | 2,840 | $154,804 | 21% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $167,010 | 2,820 | $161,650 | 12% |
| Austin, TX | $165,530 | 3,850 | $168,794 | 12% |
| Dallas, TX | $162,870 | 1,570 | $157,988 | 12% |
| Boulder, CO | $161,720 | 650 | $153,723 | 16% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $161,160 | 60 | $181,154 | 9% |
| New York, NY | $160,300 | 1,780 | $142,409 | 27% |
| Washington, DC | $159,480 | 1,790 | $146,468 | 18% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $158,530 | 1,870 | $139,593 | 22% |
| Baltimore, MD | $156,750 | 740 | $150,019 | 15% |
| Utica, NY | $151,330 | 90 | $163,286 | 11% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $150,530 | 500 | $150,522 | 15% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $148,440 | 60 | $136,436 | 27% |
| Denver, CO | $144,660 | 970 | $136,753 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $143,020 | 60 | $128,892 | 25% |
| Worcester, MA | $142,780 | 140 | $139,266 | 18% |
| Huntsville, AL | $142,670 | 560 | $153,290 | 12% |
| Syracuse, NY | $141,180 | 100 | $147,459 | 14% |
| Bend, OR | $140,390 | 40 | $135,502 | 19% |
| Houston, TX | $137,740 | 840 | $139,655 | 14% |
| Nashville, TN | $137,450 | – | $142,675 | 16% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $136,920 | 490 | $135,959 | 15% |
| Omaha, NE | $136,600 | 60 | $148,622 | 12% |
| Orlando, FL | $136,300 | 650 | $134,394 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $135,220 | 460 | $118,453 | 24% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $134,300 | 550 | $128,122 | 16% |
| Montgomery, AL | $134,190 | 40 | $149,629 | 12% |
| Riverside, CA | $134,060 | 200 | $125,947 | 23% |
| Chicago, IL | $133,860 | 1,080 | $129,215 | 19% |
| Charleston, SC | $133,430 | 270 | $132,159 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $132,660 | 140 | $131,518 | 15% |
| Richmond, VA | $132,270 | 70 | $135,165 | 15% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $131,710 | 280 | $134,479 | 17% |
| Boise, ID | $131,570 | 830 | $133,722 | 18% |
| Raleigh, NC | $130,540 | 310 | $132,991 | 15% |
| Buffalo, NY | $130,050 | 110 | $135,689 | 13% |
| Detroit, MI | $129,990 | 1,060 | $129,604 | 14% |
| Columbia, SC | $129,830 | 70 | $138,615 | 14% |
| Tucson, AZ | $129,340 | 180 | $133,483 | 14% |
| Crestview, FL | $128,060 | 120 | $131,978 | 18% |
| Oxnard, CA | $127,730 | 380 | $115,557 | 28% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $127,620 | 210 | $126,657 | 19% |
| San Antonio, TX | $126,510 | 150 | $133,568 | 13% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $126,460 | 160 | $125,349 | 17% |
| Louisville, KY | $126,180 | 160 | $135,570 | 13% |
| Tampa, FL | $125,680 | 580 | $124,571 | 19% |
| Providence, RI | $125,060 | 460 | $122,881 | 21% |
| Little Rock, AR | $124,510 | 70 | $139,329 | 12% |
| Greensboro, NC | $123,950 | 70 | $133,473 | 14% |
| Lexington, KY | $123,370 | 100 | $132,814 | 16% |
| Hartford, CT | $122,860 | 100 | $119,576 | 20% |
| Bremerton, WA | $122,840 | 40 | $116,318 | 20% |
| Panama City, FL | $121,160 | 110 | $124,527 | 17% |
| Dayton, OH | $121,030 | 220 | $130,569 | 13% |
| Columbus, OH | $120,950 | 90 | $126,690 | 15% |
| Rochester, NY | $120,550 | 100 | $124,234 | 15% |
| Greenville, SC | $119,670 | 90 | $128,319 | 16% |
| Cleveland, OH | $119,450 | 110 | $127,179 | 14% |
| Akron, OH | $118,130 | 30 | $126,518 | 13% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $117,150 | 90 | $129,861 | 15% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $117,040 | 50 | $116,019 | 20% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $115,220 | 130 | $114,973 | 18% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $113,510 | 40 | $114,488 | 22% |
| St. Louis, MO | $112,490 | 540 | $118,301 | 15% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $109,120 | 80 | $114,418 | 17% |
| Charlotte, NC | $108,480 | 240 | $111,435 | 19% |
| Kansas City, MO | $108,360 | 310 | $117,092 | 17% |
| New Haven, CT | $108,060 | 40 | $103,348 | 23% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $106,370 | 60 | $111,329 | 18% |
| Wichita, KS | $105,680 | 50 | $118,814 | 14% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $102,880 | 70 | $107,507 | 18% |
| Springfield, MO | $102,360 | – | $115,550 | 15% |
| Atlanta, GA | $100,220 | 530 | $100,162 | 22% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $99,720 | 110 | $110,029 | 15% |
| Logan, UT | $99,570 | 30 | $103,798 | 17% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $99,010 | 50 | $102,139 | 19% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,080 | 120 | $106,274 | 17% |
| Waterbury, CT | $93,590 | 30 | $93,798 | – |
| Tulsa, OK | $91,290 | 40 | $102,327 | 18% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $83,550 | 100 | $92,036 | 20% |
| Madison, WI | $82,200 | 120 | $84,492 | 26% |
What the median computer hardware engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $161,740 |
| Month | $13,478 |
| Every two weeks | $6,221 |
| Week | $3,110 |
| Hour | $77.76 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a computer hardware engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +9.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 4,100 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architect | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about computer hardware engineer pay
How much does a computer hardware engineer make an hour?
The median is $77.76 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44.68 and the top 10% over $108.33.
How much does a computer hardware engineer make a month?
About $13,478 a month before taxes at the median salary of $161,740, or $6,221 every two weeks.
What state pays computer hardware engineers the most?
California, with a median of $185,180. Washington ($169,120), Massachusetts ($167,600), New Mexico ($165,350) and Texas ($163,860) follow.
Where do computer hardware engineers make the most after cost of living?
New Mexico: its median of $165,350 is worth $179,315 at typical US prices. Texas, California and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level computer hardware engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of computer hardware engineers earn under $92,940 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $126,090, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a computer hardware engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-2061 (Computer Hardware Engineers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.