Computer Hardware Engineer Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median $161,740 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What computer hardware engineers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 4,100
Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 9.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Computer Hardware Engineer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,552
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,028
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,345
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$121,815
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,940 | $44.68 | $74,213 |
| 25th percentile | $126,090 | $60.62 | $97,449 |
| Median (50th) | $161,740 | $77.76 | $121,815 |
| 75th percentile | $202,990 | $97.59 | $151,129 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,330 | $108.33 | $166,986 |
Best cities for computer hardware engineers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $165,530 | $124,406 | $126,859 | 3,850 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $209,860 | $138,173 | $125,131 | 7,940 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $167,010 | $121,451 | $117,553 | 2,820 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $203,890 | $134,409 | $116,258 | 2,810 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $167,600 | $117,661 | $108,677 | 2,840 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $174,440 | $116,235 | $103,886 | 3,330 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $209,860
- San Francisco, CA — $203,890
- San Diego, CA — $174,440
- Boston, MA — $167,600
- Phoenix, AZ — $167,010
- Austin, TX — $165,530
Computer Hardware Engineer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $185,180 | +2.9% | $122,479 | $126,590 – $239,200+ | 19,820 |
| Washington | $169,120 | −2.8% | $126,860 | $100,120 – $239,200+ | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 | −1.7% | $117,661 | $118,490 – $239,200+ | 3,150 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 | — | $117,511 | $117,150 – $204,150 | 5,260 |
| Texas | $163,860 | +23.0% | $123,264 | $92,940 – $216,260 | 7,390 |
| New York | $163,470 | +15.3% | $114,393 | $101,530 – $224,490 | 3,020 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 | +6.3% | $112,005 | $100,690 – $211,950 | 210 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 | +2.9% | $109,835 | $94,270 – $202,980 | 90 |
| Arizona | $158,280 | −2.9% | $115,702 | $100,900 – $218,440 | 3,110 |
| Colorado | $156,080 | −4.2% | $111,788 | $100,050 – $222,220 | 2,660 |
| Maryland | $152,730 | +10.7% | $108,598 | $87,840 – $198,300 | 1,720 |
| New Jersey | $142,880 | +8.6% | $102,013 | $87,540 – $210,900 | 580 |
| Virginia | $139,030 | −0.4% | $99,113 | $87,630 – $195,290 | 1,720 |
| Alabama | $136,990 | +0.2% | $98,314 | $80,680 – $195,190 | 680 |
| Delaware | $135,690 | +2.8% | $96,396 | $96,140 – $200,240 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $134,950 | +7.2% | $98,244 | $96,910 – $173,350 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $134,670 | +2.3% | $98,448 | $74,310 – $234,390 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $134,300 | +2.9% | $95,351 | $84,770 – $176,340 | 770 |
| Florida | $134,160 | +6.8% | $102,964 | $77,680 – $203,510 | 3,290 |
| Illinois | $133,220 | +23.7% | $95,872 | $77,420 – $210,100 | 1,420 |
| Idaho | $131,570 | +2.9% | $95,329 | $85,230 – $212,880 | 920 |
| Tennessee | $130,830 | +30.3% | $100,688 | $96,300 – $167,030 | — |
| New Hampshire | $129,140 | −15.5% | $99,533 | $75,740 – $202,720 | 310 |
| Iowa | $125,120 | +12.6% | $92,683 | $77,480 – $187,980 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $125,110 | +5.1% | $90,429 | $74,990 – $171,540 | 690 |
| Arkansas | $120,290 | −2.1% | $88,975 | $70,870 – $166,450 | 160 |
| Michigan | $119,670 | +5.3% | $88,183 | $78,240 – $176,700 | 1,420 |
| Rhode Island | $119,510 | −0.0% | $88,830 | $80,620 – $158,570 | 390 |
| Ohio | $118,160 | −5.3% | $89,489 | $75,240 – $196,680 | 580 |
| Nevada | $116,530 | +13.5% | $90,809 | $83,310 – $155,020 | 160 |
| Kentucky | $116,200 | +30.9% | $86,627 | $71,400 – $128,050 | 500 |
| Utah | $106,950 | +2.8% | $80,223 | $72,550 – $168,320 | 430 |
| Missouri | $103,980 | +2.8% | $78,030 | $61,290 – $150,050 | 900 |
| Kansas | $101,750 | +0.1% | $75,533 | $74,520 – $145,800 | 220 |
| South Dakota | $101,400 | — | $80,165 | $78,040 – $150,110 | 160 |
| Georgia | $100,210 | −7.7% | $74,750 | $70,920 – $165,610 | 650 |
| Indiana | $98,350 | +3.4% | $75,147 | $73,780 – $136,970 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $95,600 | −15.4% | $72,328 | $77,150 – $171,560 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $83,670 | −14.7% | $64,638 | $68,330 – $172,820 | 270 |
| Louisiana | $83,550 | −10.7% | $65,487 | $47,840 – $150,290 | 270 |
| Mississippi | $78,320 | +2.9% | $61,527 | $68,770 – $140,650 | 150 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree | +8.3% |
| Nuclear Engineer | $133,970 | Bachelor's degree | +0.4% |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,220 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | $122,930 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree | +9.9% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,160 | Bachelor's degree | +5.4% |
| Materials Engineer | $112,860 | Bachelor's degree | +7.5% |
| Marine Engineer and Naval Architect | $112,230 | Bachelor's degree | +6.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make?
The national median salary for computer hardware engineers is $161,740 a year ($77.76 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,940 and the top 10% earn over $225,330. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays computer hardware engineers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $185,180. After taxes and local prices, Austin, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many computer hardware engineers are there in the U.S.?
About 76,660 people work as computer hardware engineers nationwide.