Computer Hardware Engineers
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.
Also called: 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, Computer Engineer
Median pay
$161,740
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$92,940 – $225,330
People employed
76,660
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Computer Hardware Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (40 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What computer hardware engineers do
- 01Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- 02Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- 03Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- 04Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- 05Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
- 06Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Adaptability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from computer hardware engineers
- Software Developers79% · −16%
- Physicists72% · +6%
- Database Architects72% · −14%
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects72% · group pay
- Computer Network Architects71% · −17%
Change into computer hardware engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Computer Network Architects83% · $134,050
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers83% · $104,300
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects80% · $116,580
- Software Developers80% · $135,980
- Blockchain Engineers79% · $116,580
Majors that lead here
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Hardware Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.