Computer Hardware Engineers Career, Salary and Skills
Computer Hardware Engineers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $161,740 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 76,660. Wage data is published for 135 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
17-2061.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$161,740
Hourly median
$77.76
Employment
76,660
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.50 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.38 | 3.50 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
- Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
- Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
Technology
- Linux
- Logic synthesis software
- LogicVision icBIST
- M-Sim
- Magellan Firmware
- MAGIC software
- Magma Design Automation Blast Create
- Magma Design Automation Blast FPGA
- Mathsoft Mathcad
- MathWorks Simulink
- MathWorks Simulink DSP Blockset
- MathWorks Simulink Fixed-Point Blockset
- Mentor Graphics BSDArchitect
- Mentor Graphics Calibre
Computer Hardware Engineers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in CAMedian $185,180 · Employment 19,820
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in San Jose, CAMedian $209,860 · Employment 7,940
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in TXMedian $163,860 · Employment 7,390
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in NMMedian $165,350 · Employment 5,260
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Austin, TXMedian $165,530 · Employment 3,850
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in San Diego, CAMedian $174,440 · Employment 3,330
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in FLMedian $134,160 · Employment 3,290
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in MAMedian $167,600 · Employment 3,150
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in AZMedian $158,280 · Employment 3,110
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in NYMedian $163,470 · Employment 3,020
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Boston, MAMedian $167,600 · Employment 2,840
- Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Phoenix, AZMedian $167,010 · Employment 2,820
Related careers
- Computer Systems AnalystsNational median $105,850
- Photonics EngineersNational median $122,930
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersNational median $68,120
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and TechniciansNational median $73,900
- Mechanical EngineersNational median $104,110
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersNational median $104,300
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentNational median $74,090
- Electrical and Electronics DraftersNational median $76,870
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.