Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Seattle, WA
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $169,120 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $126,860 take-home, or $10,572 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$29,323
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,485
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,452
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$126,860
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,770 | $50.37 | $82,536 | $6,878 |
| 25th percentile | $142,320 | $68.42 | $108,542 | $9,045 |
| Median (50th) | $169,120 | $81.31 | $126,860 | $10,572 |
| 75th percentile | $210,230 | $101.07 | $156,461 | $13,038 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $260,210+ | $125.10 | $189,885 | $15,824 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $169,120 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer hardware engineer's $126,860 take-home pay has the buying power of $114,151 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.4× 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
Seattle, WA ranks #7 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 →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Seattle, WA?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $169,120 a year, or about $81.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $142,320 and $210,230.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $169,120 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $126,860 a year ($10,572 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $114,151 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #7 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware engineer afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Aerospace Engineer — $163,580
- Materials Engineer — $156,130
- Electrical Engineer — $140,210
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $138,890
- Engineers, All Other — $137,430
- Industrial Engineer — $131,210
- Environmental Engineer — $128,410
- Mechanical Engineer — $126,590
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician — $125,160
- Civil Engineer — $116,480
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $100,610
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $98,180