Position
Salary

How much does a Hardware Engineer make?

The average salary for a Hardware Engineer is $140,608 per year in the US.

A Hardware Engineer makes an average yearly salary of $140,608. This profession often requires a blend of skills in electrical engineering and computer science. With experience and additional skills, this salary can change. Most people start on the lower end of this range, around $57,000, and then see increases as they gain more experience.

Those in the top 10% of earners make more than $244,000 a year. These top earners usually have years of experience, advanced degrees, or specialized skills. Companies in tech hubs or large tech firms often pay more. Also, those who work on critical projects or have unique skills can earn more.

View Hardware Engineer jobs nearby

What are the highest paying cities for a Hardware Engineer?

Top cities like Seattle and San Francisco offer high salaries for Hardware Engineers. Seattle ranks first with an average salary of $158,774, followed closely by San Francisco at $157,388. Job seekers can find competitive opportunities in cities such as San Jose and San Diego. These cities provide an excellent chance for growth and higher earnings. San Jose pays an average of $150,987, while San Diego offers $148,954. Austin, Los Angeles, and Denver also offer attractive salaries for those in the field.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Hardware Engineer jobs, highlighting Seattle, WA with the highest at $158,774 and Raleigh, NC with the lowest at $124,959.
  1. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $158,774
    In Seattle, tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft offer opportunities for those in hardware design. The tech scene thrives, providing a dynamic environment for innovation.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $157,388
    San Francisco boasts a thriving tech hub, with giants like Apple and Intel hiring for hardware roles. The city offers a vibrant community for tech enthusiasts.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $150,987
    San Jose, known as Silicon Valley, is home to many tech firms. Companies such as Intel and AMD are leaders in hardware engineering, providing numerous opportunities in the field.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $148,954
    San Diego has a growing tech scene, with Qualcomm being a major player in the hardware industry. The city combines a strong job market with a pleasant lifestyle.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Diego, CA


  5. Austin, TX
    Average Salary: $146,955
    Austin offers a mix of tech and startup culture. Companies like Dell Technologies provide exciting prospects for hardware professionals.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Austin, TX


  6. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $138,844
    Los Angeles is home to a variety of tech companies. With firms like Qualcomm and Raytheon, it offers a diverse range of opportunities in hardware engineering.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  7. Denver, CO
    Average Salary: $134,839
    Denver's tech scene is on the rise. Companies like Lockheed Martin provide stable positions in hardware development.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Denver, CO


  8. St. Louis, MO
    Average Salary: $127,725
    St. Louis has a growing tech industry. Firms such as Boeing offer roles in hardware engineering, blending innovation with stability.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in St. Louis, MO


  9. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $125,127
    Santa Rosa is a hub for technology and innovation. Companies like Intel provide opportunities for those skilled in hardware design.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  10. Raleigh, NC
    Average Salary: $124,959
    Raleigh boasts a thriving tech ecosystem. With companies like IBM, it offers promising career paths in hardware engineering.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC

What are the best companies a Hardware Engineer can work for?

Apple tops the list with the highest average salary for hardware engineers at $202,572. Microsoft closely follows with an average salary of $187,883, making it another excellent choice. For those seeking a competitive salary, Viasat, with an average of $177,117, also stands out as a top employer.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Hardware Engineer jobs, highlighting Apple with the highest at $202,572 and Blue Origin with the lowest at $155,890.
  1. Apple
    Average Salary: $202,572
    Apple is one of the most innovative companies in the world. Apple seeks talented Hardware Engineers to design the next generation of tech devices. They operate worldwide, with major offices in California, Texas, and North Carolina.


  2. Microsoft
    Average Salary: $187,883
    Microsoft offers a range of opportunities for Hardware Engineers. They focus on enhancing computing power and user experience. Microsoft's locations include Washington, California, and Texas.


  3. Viasat
    Average Salary: $177,117
    Viasat is a leader in satellite communications. They offer exciting roles for Hardware Engineers to develop advanced communication systems. They are based in California and Colorado.


  4. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $176,300
    NVIDIA is known for its graphics processing units and AI technology. They seek skilled Hardware Engineers to innovate in these fields. They have offices in California, Arizona, and Washington.


  5. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $168,794
    Qualcomm develops wireless technology and components. They offer many opportunities for Hardware Engineers to work on cutting-edge products. They have locations in California, Massachusetts, and Oregon.


  6. Cisco
    Average Salary: $167,247
    Cisco focuses on networking and communications technology. They need Hardware Engineers to design high-performance networking solutions. Their main offices are in California, Texas, and Arizona.


  7. Randstad
    Average Salary: $162,821
    Randstad is a staffing firm that places talent in various roles. They offer competitive salaries for Hardware Engineers. They have numerous locations across the country.


  8. BAE Systems USA
    Average Salary: $160,232
    BAE Systems USA works in defense and aerospace. They need Hardware Engineers to develop innovative technology for the military and government. They operate in Virginia, California, and Colorado.


  9. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $158,924
    Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud services provider. They need Hardware Engineers to develop cloud infrastructure. Their main office is in Virginia, with other locations in Washington and California.


  10. Blue Origin
    Average Salary: $155,890
    Blue Origin is a space exploration company. They seek Hardware Engineers to develop space travel technology. They operate in Florida, Texas, and Washington.

How to earn more as a Hardware Engineer?

A Hardware Engineer can increase earnings by gaining more experience and skills. Specializing in a niche area of hardware engineering, such as embedded systems or semiconductor design, can lead to higher-paying roles. Continuous learning through certifications and advanced degrees also helps in securing better-paying jobs. Networking within the industry can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions. Seeking roles in high-demand industries, such as automotive or aerospace, can result in higher salaries.

The following factors can help a Hardware Engineer earn more:

  1. Specialization: Focusing on a specific area within hardware engineering can make a candidate more valuable.
  2. Certifications: Gaining certifications in relevant technologies can increase earning potential.
  3. Advanced Degrees: Pursuing a master’s degree or PhD can lead to higher-paying roles.
  4. Networking: Building a professional network can lead to higher-paying job opportunities.
  5. Industry Demand: Working in industries with high demand for hardware engineers can result in better salaries.

Currently 249 Hardware Engineer job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Hardware Engineer in the US?

Learn what a Hardware Engineer does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Hardware Engineer today.
Position
Overview
Hardware Engineer
249 Job Openings