Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Idaho
$143,000 / year
≈ $11,900 per month · $68.75 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Idaho · median $136,000
25th percentile
$104,500Average
$143,00075th percentile
$175,500
$104,500Average
$143,00075th percentile
$175,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary by state
Alabama$143,500
Arizona$163,500
Arkansas$124,500
California$197,500
Colorado$164,000
Delaware$147,000
District of Columbia$168,000
Florida$142,500
Georgia$116,000
Hawaii$149,500
Idaho$143,000
Illinois$144,000
Indiana$109,000
Iowa$142,000
Kansas$114,500
Kentucky$113,000
Louisiana$96,500
Maryland$154,000
Massachusetts$183,000
Michigan$131,500
Minnesota$139,500
Mississippi$97,000
Missouri$115,000
Nebraska$142,500
Nevada$121,000
New Hampshire$140,000
New Jersey$152,000
New Mexico$169,500
New York$170,500
North Carolina$149,000
Ohio$132,000
Oklahoma$112,000
Rhode Island$127,500
South Carolina$128,500
South Dakota$115,000
Tennessee$135,000
Texas$167,000
Utah$119,000
Virginia$148,500
Washington$184,500
Wisconsin$105,000
About this role
Computer Hardware Engineer is a professional role within the function in the Architecture and Engineering job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Computer Hardware Engineers do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
Top skills: Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Writing Speaking Complex Problem Solving Active Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience level
Entry level$96,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$130,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$167,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$210,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$233,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+7.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
30,320 workers
$174,500Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
24,100 workers
$168,500Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
18,120 workers
$173,500Scientific Research and Development Services
14,280 workers
$191,000Computer Systems Design and Related Services
11,260 workers
$165,000Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
4,750 workers
$142,500Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
4,590 workers
$142,500Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
3,930 workers
$151,000Management of Companies and Enterprises
3,930 workers
$170,000Management of Companies and Enterprises
3,930 workers
$170,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Computer Hardware Engineer pays 56% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Petroleum Engineer$162,500
Aerospace Engineer$147,000
Nuclear Engineer$145,500
Chemical Engineer$134,500
Materials Engineer$124,500
Careers related to Computer Hardware Engineer
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Computer Hardware Engineer make?
The average base salary for a Computer Hardware Engineer in the United States is $168,500 per year, or about $81.01 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $130,500 and $210,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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