How much does a hardware engineer make?
Answer: A typical hardware engineer in the United States makes $161,740 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 77,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Hardware engineer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $92,940 | $161,740 | $225,330 | about 77,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $185,180 | about 20,000 |
| Washington | $169,120 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 | about 3,000 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 | about 5,000 |
| Texas | $163,860 | about 7,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay differs with experience and education, location, and the kind of employer or industry. Extra credentials can help when an employer values them, so there is no single pay rule for every hardware engineer.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a hardware engineer do?
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. Excludes “Software Developers” (15-1252) and “Web Developers” (15-1254).
What's a typical day like?
They sketch a circuit or processor design on a computer, then build a prototype and test it in a lab. They study the results, adjust the design, and work with software teammates so the parts work together.
How to get this job
Most U.S. hardware engineers earn a bachelor’s in computer or electrical engineering and start work around their early 20s. A DOL-approved hardware-engineer apprenticeship also exists; BLS names no standard entry exam or license.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out.
Did you know?
Surprise: hardware engineers also help design the computer parts inside everyday appliances, cars, and medical devices—not just laptops.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Sources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/computer-hardware-engineers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2061.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY