Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Computer Hardware Engineers Make?
Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median annual salary of $155,020 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $85,430 at the 10th percentile to $223,820 at the 90th percentile — a range of $138,390. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $188,540.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $85,430 |
| 25th percentile | $115,500 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 |
| 75th percentile | $185,380 |
| 90th percentile | $223,820 |
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $188,540 |
| California | $179,880 |
| Washington | $174,070 |
| Massachusetts | $170,570 |
| Arizona | $163,090 |
| Colorado | $162,920 |
| Hawaii | $155,390 |
| District of Columbia | $153,630 |
| New Hampshire | $152,840 |
| New York | $141,780 |
| Montana | $141,680 |
| Virginia | $139,570 |
| Maryland | $137,930 |
| Alabama | $136,660 |
| Alaska | $136,080 |
| Texas | $133,250 |
| Delaware | $132,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,660 |
| North Carolina | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $131,540 |
| Minnesota | $130,530 |
| Idaho | $127,880 |
| Nebraska | $125,920 |
| Florida | $125,640 |
| Ohio | $124,800 |
| Arkansas | $122,860 |
| Rhode Island | $119,540 |
| South Carolina | $119,010 |
| Michigan | $113,620 |
| Oklahoma | $113,030 |
| Iowa | $111,080 |
| Georgia | $108,590 |
| Illinois | $107,720 |
| Utah | $104,080 |
| Nevada | $102,640 |
| Kansas | $101,650 |
| Missouri | $101,120 |
| Tennessee | $100,430 |
| Wisconsin | $98,040 |
| Indiana | $95,120 |
| Louisiana | $93,570 |
| Kentucky | $88,750 |
| Mississippi | $76,120 |
| North Dakota | $73,390 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Computer Hardware Engineers
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$85,430 – $115,500 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$155,020 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$185,380 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $223,820+ |
How to Earn More as a Computer Hardware Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Computer Hardware Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $197,090 — $42,070 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($185,380) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Computer Hardware Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Hardware Engineerthis career | $155,020 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester | $102,610 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architect | $108,970 |
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SOC: 17-2061.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.