Computer Hardware Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for computer hardware engineers is $161,740 a year. By state, it ranges from $78,320 in Mississippi to $185,180 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $92,940
- 25th percentile
- $126,090
- Median
- $161,740
- 75th percentile
- $202,990
- Top 10%
- $225,330
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 76,660 jobs.
Median pay in 40 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $185,180 | +14% | $126,590 | $281,210 | 19,820 |
| 2 | Washington | $169,120 | +5% | $100,120 | $260,210 | 1,800 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $167,600 | +4% | $118,490 | $258,880 | 3,150 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $165,350 | +2% | $117,150 | $204,150 | 5,260 |
| 5 | Texas | $163,860 | +1% | $92,940 | $216,260 | 7,390 |
| 6 | New York | $163,470 | +1% | $101,530 | $224,490 | 3,020 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $163,360 | +1% | $100,690 | $211,950 | 210 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $159,880 | −1% | $94,270 | $202,980 | 90 |
| 9 | Arizona | $158,280 | −2% | $100,900 | $218,440 | 3,110 |
| 10 | Colorado | $156,080 | −3% | $100,050 | $222,220 | 2,660 |
| 11 | Maryland | $152,730 | −6% | $87,840 | $198,300 | 1,720 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $142,880 | −12% | $87,540 | $210,900 | 580 |
| 13 | Virginia | $139,030 | −14% | $87,630 | $195,290 | 1,720 |
| 14 | Alabama | $136,990 | −15% | $80,680 | $195,190 | 680 |
| 15 | Delaware | $135,690 | −16% | $96,140 | $200,240 | 30 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $134,950 | −17% | $96,910 | $173,350 | 80 |
| 17 | North Carolina | $134,670 | −17% | $74,310 | $234,390 | 1,340 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $134,300 | −17% | $84,770 | $176,340 | 770 |
| 19 | Florida | $134,160 | −17% | $77,680 | $203,510 | 3,290 |
| 20 | Illinois | $133,220 | −18% | $77,420 | $210,100 | 1,420 |
| 21 | Idaho | $131,570 | −19% | $85,230 | $212,880 | 920 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $130,830 | −19% | $96,300 | $167,030 | Not published |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $129,140 | −20% | $75,740 | $202,720 | 310 |
| 24 | Iowa | $125,120 | −23% | $77,480 | $187,980 | 130 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $125,110 | −23% | $74,990 | $171,540 | 690 |
| 26 | Arkansas | $120,290 | −26% | $70,870 | $166,450 | 160 |
| 27 | Michigan | $119,670 | −26% | $78,240 | $176,700 | 1,420 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | $119,510 | −26% | $80,620 | $158,570 | 390 |
| 29 | Ohio | $118,160 | −27% | $75,240 | $196,680 | 580 |
| 30 | Nevada | $116,530 | −28% | $83,310 | $155,020 | 160 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $116,200 | −28% | $71,400 | $128,050 | 500 |
| 32 | Utah | $106,950 | −34% | $72,550 | $168,320 | 430 |
| 33 | Missouri | $103,980 | −36% | $61,290 | $150,050 | 900 |
| 34 | Kansas | $101,750 | −37% | $74,520 | $145,800 | 220 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $101,400 | −37% | $78,040 | $150,110 | 160 |
| 36 | Georgia | $100,210 | −38% | $70,920 | $165,610 | 650 |
| 37 | Indiana | $98,350 | −39% | $73,780 | $136,970 | 320 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $95,600 | −41% | $77,150 | $171,560 | 180 |
| 39 | Wisconsin | $83,670 | −48% | $68,330 | $172,820 | 270 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $83,550 | −48% | $47,840 | $150,290 | 270 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $78,320 | −52% | $68,770 | $140,650 | 150 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Computer Hardware Engineers salary questions
Which state pays computer hardware engineers the most?
California, with a median of $185,180 a year (+14% vs. the national median of $161,740). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays computer hardware engineers the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $78,320 a year (−52% vs. national).
Where do most computer hardware engineers work?
California has the most jobs, about 19,820, with a median of $185,180.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.