Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $159,480 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $109,683 take-home, or $9,140 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,009
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,888
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,312
- District of Columbia income tax$10,587
- Take-home pay$109,683
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,780 | $46.05 | $71,038 | $5,920 |
| 25th percentile | $117,820 | $56.64 | $84,670 | $7,056 |
| Median (50th) | $159,480 | $76.67 | $109,683 | $9,140 |
| 75th percentile | $191,940 | $92.28 | $129,572 | $10,798 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,090 | $106.29 | $148,378 | $12,365 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $159,480 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer hardware engineer's $109,683 take-home pay has the buying power of $100,734 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Computer Hardware Engineer jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for computer hardware engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #16 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 |
| 16 | Washington, DC | $159,480 | $109,683 | $100,734 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $159,480 a year, or about $76.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $117,820 and $191,940.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $159,480 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $109,683 a year ($9,140 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,587 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $100,734 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #16 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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