Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Boston, MA
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $167,600 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $117,661 take-home, or $9,805 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,958
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,391
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,430
- Massachusetts income tax$8,160
- Take-home pay$117,661
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $110,730 | $53.24 | $81,412 | $6,784 |
| 25th percentile | $130,970 | $62.97 | $94,455 | $7,871 |
| Median (50th) | $167,600 | $80.58 | $117,661 | $9,805 |
| 75th percentile | $210,910 | $101.40 | $146,637 | $12,220 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $260,460+ | $125.22 | $177,246 | $14,770 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $167,600 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer hardware engineer's $117,661 take-home pay has the buying power of $108,677 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.1× the national concentration of computer hardware engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer hardware engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #5 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $165,530 | $124,406 | $126,859 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $209,860 | $138,173 | $125,131 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $167,010 | $121,451 | $117,553 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $203,890 | $134,409 | $116,258 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $167,600 | $117,661 | $108,677 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $174,440 | $116,235 | $103,886 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
About the job: 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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.1% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Boston, MA?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $167,600 a year, or about $80.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $130,970 and $210,910.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $167,600 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $117,661 a year ($9,805 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,160 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $108,677 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #5 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware engineer afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $142,920
- Engineers, All Other — $133,940
- Electrical Engineer — $128,610
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer — $128,550
- Mechanical Engineer — $119,300
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $119,120
- Industrial Engineer — $118,970
- Civil Engineer — $107,670
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $78,190