Aerospace Engineer
Median wage · national
$134,960
Range: $106K – $170K
Employed
68K
Openings/yr
4K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Computer Hardware Engineer
With a national median of $161,740 and +9.1% projected job growth through 2035, Computer Hardware Engineer offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Computer Hardware Engineer
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a computer hardware engineer: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Electrical Engineering and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
- Median Wage
- $161,740
- Employed Nationally
- 77K
- Openings / Year
- 4,100
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Analog Design Engineer
Analog IC Design Engineer (Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer)
Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (ASIC Design Engineer)
Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification Engineer (ASIC Design Verification Engineer)
Computer Designer
How Much Do Computer Hardware Engineers Make?
Most computer hardware engineers take home around $161,740 a year, well above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $126,090 and $202,990, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Worth weighing against how long the training takes. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$161,740
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$126K–$203K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$126,090
Entry-level
$161,740
Median
$202,990
Experienced
What Do Computer Hardware Engineers Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Active Listening
Writing
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Computer Hardware Engineers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +9.1%, meaning it is growing faster than most occupations, so jobs should be easier to find over time. Around 4,100 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +9.1%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
Faster than average.
4,100
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
77K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Computer Hardware Engineer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $161,740 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 19,820 | $185,180 | +14.5% |
| 2 | Texas | 7,390 | $163,860 | +1.3% |
| 3 | New Mexico | 5,260 | $165,350 | +2.2% |
| 4 | Florida | 3,290 | $134,160 | -17.1% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 3,150 | $167,600 | +3.6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a bachelor's degree. The 3 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is a Computer Engineering program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 27,809 | $100,647 | 460 |
| 2 | Computer Engineering | 18,973 | $109,015 | 418 |
| 3 | Electrical & Computer Engineering | 1,988 | — | 42 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Computer Hardware Engineers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 5 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Computer Hardware Engineer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Computer Hardware Engineer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Computer Hardware Engineer Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Computer Hardware Engineer a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $161,740 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Fast-growing field At +9.1% projected growth through 2035, this career grows faster than the national average of about +5%. A strong signal for long-term demand.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $202,990 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $161,740 median while building the experience employers require.
Computer Hardware Engineer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Computer Hardware Engineer professionals earn?
Around $161,740 a year for the typical worker, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $126,090 and $202,990. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Computer Hardware Engineer a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. Median pay of $161,740 with +9.1% projected growth through 2035 is a combination most fields cannot match. The real variable is early career: workers around the 25th percentile earn $126,090, so your first employer and location will shape your trajectory more than the national number suggests.
How long does it take to work as Computer Hardware Engineers?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Electrical Engineering are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $161,740 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Computer Hardware Engineer?
Employment is projected to change by +9.1% through 2035, faster than average compared with other occupations. Around 4,100 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 77K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
Why do Computer Hardware Engineer salaries vary so widely?
The $76,900 gap between the 25th ($126,090) and 75th ($202,990) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Computer Hardware Engineer professionals need?
Mainly Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, and Writing. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
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10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 106 of 393 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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