Electronics Engineer
Median wage · national
$130,220
Range: $102K – $168K
Employed
97K
Openings/yr
6K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Computer Hardware Engineer
With a national median of $161,740 and +7.3% projected job growth through 2034, Computer Hardware Engineer offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Computer Hardware Engineer
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
- 4,700
- 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?
Computer Hardware Engineer earn $161,740 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $126,090 and $202,990. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$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?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Computer Hardware Engineer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
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?
The BLS projects +7.3% employment change for Computer Hardware Engineer through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 4,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +7.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
4,700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
77K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
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 | 24,200 | $179,880 | +11.2% |
| 2 | Arizona | 3,390 | $163,090 | +0.8% |
| 3 | Texas | 3,380 | $133,250 | -17.6% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 3,350 | $170,570 | +5.5% |
| 5 | Colorado | 2,920 | $162,920 | +0.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Computer Hardware Engineer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
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.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +7.3% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- 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?
The national median annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineer is $161,740, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $126,090 and $202,990. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Computer Hardware Engineer a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. A $161,740 median with +7.3% projected growth through 2034 is a combination most career fields can't 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 become a Computer Hardware Engineer?
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?
The BLS projects +7.3% employment change for Computer Hardware Engineer through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 4,700 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 77K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
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?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Computer Hardware Engineer roles: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, and Writing. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Associate degree
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- 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 95 of 385 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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