How much does a computer hardware engineer make?
The median computer hardware engineer in the United States earns $161,740 per year, about $77.76 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all computer hardware engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2061.
Computer hardware engineer salary range
Pay for computer hardware engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $92,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $225,330. The average (mean) wage of $162,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $92,940 | $44.68 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $126,090 | $60.62 | |
| Median (50th) | $161,740 | $77.76 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $202,990 | $97.59 | |
| 90th percentile | $225,330 | $108.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for computer hardware engineers (SOC 17-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Computer hardware engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Computer hardware engineers earn the most in California at $185,180 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $78,320. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $185,180 | 19,820 |
| Washington | $169,120 | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 | 3,150 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 | 5,260 |
| Texas | $163,860 | 7,390 |
| New York | $163,470 | 3,020 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 | 210 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 | 90 |
| Arizona | $158,280 | 3,110 |
| Colorado | $156,080 | 2,660 |
| Maryland | $152,730 | 1,720 |
| New Jersey | $142,880 | 580 |
| Virginia | $139,030 | 1,720 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | 680 |
| Delaware | $135,690 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $134,950 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $134,670 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $134,300 | 770 |
| Florida | $134,160 | 3,290 |
| Illinois | $133,220 | 1,420 |
| Idaho | $131,570 | 920 |
| Tennessee | $130,830 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $129,140 | 310 |
| Iowa | $125,120 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $125,110 | 690 |
| Arkansas | $120,290 | 160 |
| Michigan | $119,670 | 1,420 |
| Rhode Island | $119,510 | 390 |
| Ohio | $118,160 | 580 |
| Nevada | $116,530 | 160 |
| Kentucky | $116,200 | 500 |
| Utah | $106,950 | 430 |
| Missouri | $103,980 | 900 |
| Kansas | $101,750 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $101,400 | 160 |
| Georgia | $100,210 | 650 |
| Indiana | $98,350 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $95,600 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $83,670 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $83,550 | 270 |
| Mississippi | $78,320 | 150 |
State median wages for computer hardware engineers (SOC 17-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for computer hardware engineers
The BLS projects employment of computer hardware engineers to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 76,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 83,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,100 openings a year for computer hardware engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a computer hardware engineer
The typical entry-level education for computer hardware engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a computer hardware engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $185,180) and the lowest (Mississippi, $78,320) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 76,660 people work as computer hardware engineers in the United States. At $161,740 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Computer hardware engineer salary FAQ
How much does a computer hardware engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a computer hardware engineer is $77.76. The middle half of computer hardware engineers earn between $60.62 and $97.59 per hour.
What is the highest computer hardware engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of computer hardware engineers earn more than $225,330 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a computer hardware engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a computer hardware engineer is $161,740. The average (mean) wage of $162,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a computer hardware engineer a well paid job?
At $161,740 a year, a computer hardware engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 76,660 people work as computer hardware engineers in the United States.
Which state pays computer hardware engineers the most?
California has the highest median salary for computer hardware engineers at $185,180 a year. Washington ($169,120) and Massachusetts ($167,600) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a computer hardware engineer a good career?
Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a computer hardware engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for computer hardware engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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