Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, CO
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median $168,990 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $120,044 take-home, or $10,004 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Fort Collins, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,292
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,477
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,450
- Colorado income tax$6,727
- Take-home pay$120,044
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Fort Collins, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,940 | $51.89 | $80,725 | $6,727 |
| 25th percentile | $129,060 | $62.05 | $94,508 | $7,876 |
| Median (50th) | $168,990 | $81.25 | $120,044 | $10,004 |
| 75th percentile | $213,130 | $102.47 | $149,928 | $12,494 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $223,570 | $107.49 | $156,702 | $13,059 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $168,990 buys in Fort Collins, CO
Prices in Fort Collins, CO are 1.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer hardware engineer's $120,044 take-home pay has the buying power of $118,705 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Collins, CO has 5.9× 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
Fort Collins, CO ranks #4 of 29 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 | Dallas, TX | $162,870 | $122,588 | $118,913 |
| 4 | Fort Collins, CO | $168,990 | $120,044 | $118,705 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $167,010 | $121,451 | $117,553 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $203,890 | $134,409 | $116,258 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $169,120 | $126,860 | $114,151 |
| 8 | Palm Bay, FL | $150,530 | $114,153 | $114,148 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Computer Hardware Engineer salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Boulder, CO — $161,720
- Colorado Springs, CO — $136,920
- Denver, CO — $144,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Fort Collins, CO?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $168,990 a year, or about $81.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $129,060 and $213,130.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Fort Collins, CO?
On the median $168,990 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $120,044 a year ($10,004 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,727 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 1.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $118,705 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Collins, CO ranks #4 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware engineer afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Collins, CO is $1,537 a month ($1,732 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fort Collins, CO
- Industrial Engineer — $131,870
- Mechanical Engineer — $102,820
- Civil Engineer — $94,720