Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Providence, RI
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $125,060 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $92,406 take-home, or $7,701 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,748
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,754
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,813
- Rhode Island income tax$4,338
- Take-home pay$92,406
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,530 | $41.60 | $67,076 | $5,590 |
| 25th percentile | $99,130 | $47.66 | $75,461 | $6,288 |
| Median (50th) | $125,060 | $60.13 | $92,406 | $7,701 |
| 75th percentile | $153,650 | $73.87 | $110,589 | $9,216 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,750 | $83.05 | $122,737 | $10,228 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $125,060 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer hardware engineer's $92,406 take-home pay has the buying power of $90,796 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Providence, RI has 1.3× 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
Providence, RI ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Providence, RI | $125,060 | $92,406 | $90,796 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Providence, RI?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $125,060 a year, or about $60.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,130 and $153,650.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $125,060 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $92,406 a year ($7,701 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,338 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $90,796 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #27 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware engineer afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,870
- Electrical Engineer — $114,710
- Mechanical Engineer — $111,360
- Industrial Engineer — $106,290
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $105,300
- Civil Engineer — $99,310
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $82,240