How much does a hardware engineer make?
a year · about $78 an hour
A typical hardware engineer in the United States makes $161,740 a year, about $78 an hour, about 3.2× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Surprise: hardware engineers also help design the computer parts inside everyday appliances, cars, and medical devices—not just laptops.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $92,940 and $225,330How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($185,180), lowest in Georgia ($100,210).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: 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).
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