Computer Hardware Engineers
SOC code 17-2061 · O*NET-SOC 17-2061.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Computer Hardware Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$161,740
a year
Hourly
$77.76
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$162,670
$78.21 per hour
Middle 50%
$126,090 – $202,990
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$92,940 – $225,330
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
76,660
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $92,940
- $44.68/hr
- 25th percentile
- $126,090
- $60.62/hr
- Median percentile
- $161,740
- $77.76/hr
- 75th percentile
- $202,990
- $97.59/hr
- 90th percentile
- $225,330
- $108.33/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+7%
Growing faster than average
76,800
jobs in 2024
82,400
projected for 2034
About 5,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a computer 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- 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.
How to become a computer hardware engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree48%
- Master's Degree34%
- Some College Courses7%
- Doctoral Degree7%
Common questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer earn?
The national median is $161,740 a year. The full range runs from $92,940 at the 10th percentile to $225,330 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a computer hardware engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is computer hardware engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 7% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.7/5
- Engineering and Technology4.7/5
- Design4.1/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Physics3.4/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Analysis, Systems Analysis.