Position
Salary

How much does a Hardware Engineer make?

The average salary for a Hardware Engineer is $140,410 per year in the US.

A Hardware Engineer finds rewarding opportunities in various industries, including tech, manufacturing, and electronics. This profession focuses on designing, developing, and testing hardware components. The average yearly salary for a Hardware Engineer stands at about $140,410. This figure offers a strong financial incentive for those considering this career path.

To break it down, here are some salary ranges for different experience levels:

  • Entry-level positions pay around $52,888 to $70,785.
  • Mid-level roles range from $88,681 to $124,474.
  • Experienced engineers can earn between $142,371 and $213,957 annually.
  • Senior professionals might see salaries from $178,164 to $249,750 a year.
These ranges show the potential for salary growth as one gains experience and expertise in the field.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Hardware Engineer?

Engineers in hardware often find excellent pay in California. San Francisco offers the highest average salary, followed closely by other tech-rich cities like Seattle and San Jose. These locations provide top-tier opportunities for those skilled in hardware engineering. Apart from California, Texas and Washington also offer competitive salaries for hardware engineers. Austin, Denver, and Seattle are some of the best places to find good-paying jobs in this field. Job seekers may consider these cities for their career growth.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Hardware Engineer jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $188,160 and Washington, DC with the lowest at $130,677.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $188,160
    In San Francisco, tech giants offer exciting challenges for electronics experts. Companies like Apple and Tesla hire for cutting-edge projects. Opportunities range from designing circuits to developing innovative devices.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $162,833
    Seattle thrives as a hub for tech innovation. Hardware professionals find work at Amazon and Microsoft. These companies lead in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, providing dynamic roles.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA


  3. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $155,252
    San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, is ideal for hardware experts. Leading firms like Intel and Cisco offer diverse projects. The area supports startups and large companies alike.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Jose, CA


  4. Austin, TX
    Average Salary: $152,129
    Austin offers a vibrant tech scene with a mix of startups and big companies. Dell Technologies and IBM look for hardware talent. The city’s growing tech industry provides many opportunities.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Austin, TX


  5. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $150,317
    San Diego combines beautiful weather with tech opportunities. Qualcomm and Northrop Grumman hire hardware engineers. The area focuses on aerospace and defense tech.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in San Diego, CA


  6. Denver, CO
    Average Salary: $145,868
    Denver’s tech industry is on the rise. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon offer hardware engineering positions. The city’s growing tech sector has much to offer.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Denver, CO


  7. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $142,945
    Los Angeles has a thriving entertainment tech scene. Companies like Sony and Raytheon hire for hardware roles. Roles range from entertainment tech to communication devices.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  8. Atlanta, GA
    Average Salary: $139,474
    Atlanta attracts tech companies with its growing tech hub. Delta and IBM seek hardware engineers. The city supports a diverse range of tech industries.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA


  9. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $135,084
    Boston is known for its rich tech history. Hardware experts find roles at General Electric and Raytheon. The city offers many opportunities in both tech and defense.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Boston, MA


  10. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $130,677
    Washington, DC, offers tech roles in both private and public sectors. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman hire hardware engineers. The area supports national defense tech.
    Find Hardware Engineer jobs in Washington, DC

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

Cisco, Apple, and Microsoft offer some of the highest average salaries for Hardware Engineers. Cisco leads with an average of $210,293, followed closely by Apple at $207,508. Microsoft provides a strong $190,670 average, making these companies top choices for those seeking well-paid positions. Other notable companies include Viasat, offering $188,526, and NVIDIA at $182,605. Amazon Web Services and Qualcomm also provide competitive salaries of $176,455 and $164,268, respectively. Tesla, BAE Systems USA, and Amazon.com also offer attractive compensation packages for hardware engineering roles.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Hardware Engineer jobs, highlighting Cisco with the highest at $210,293 and Amazon.com with the lowest at $159,452.
  1. Cisco
    Average Salary: $210,293
    Cisco Systems offers exciting opportunities for Hardware Engineers. They work on advanced networking solutions and operate worldwide, with key locations in San Jose, California, and Bangalore, India.


  2. Apple
    Average Salary: $207,508
    Apple provides top-notch opportunities for Hardware Engineers. They focus on creating innovative products and have major offices in Cupertino, California, and Cork, Ireland.


  3. Microsoft
    Average Salary: $190,670
    Microsoft offers diverse roles for Hardware Engineers. They work on various tech solutions and have major campuses in Redmond, Washington, and Hyderabad, India.


  4. Viasat
    Average Salary: $188,526
    Viasat employs Hardware Engineers for their cutting-edge communication technology. They have offices in Carlsbad, California, and other locations across the U.S.


  5. NVIDIA
    Average Salary: $182,605
    NVIDIA is a leader in graphics and computing. They offer great opportunities for Hardware Engineers and operate from Santa Clara, California, and Taipei, Taiwan.


  6. Amazon Web Services
    Average Salary: $176,455
    Amazon Web Services provides roles for Hardware Engineers focusing on cloud technology. They have offices in Seattle, Washington, and other global locations.


  7. Qualcomm
    Average Salary: $164,268
    Qualcomm offers opportunities for Hardware Engineers in wireless technology. They operate from San Diego, California, and other key sites worldwide.


  8. Tesla
    Average Salary: $161,467
    Tesla offers dynamic roles for Hardware Engineers in electric vehicles. Their main offices are in Palo Alto, California, and other locations in the U.S.


  9. BAE Systems USA
    Average Salary: $160,876
    BAE Systems USA employs Hardware Engineers for defense technology. They operate in Reston, Virginia, and other strategic locations across the U.S.


  10. Amazon.com
    Average Salary: $159,452
    Amazon.com offers positions for Hardware Engineers in retail technology. They have headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and multiple global sites.

How to earn more as a Hardware Engineer?

Hardware Engineers have many opportunities to grow their income. They can increase their earnings by gaining experience, earning advanced certifications, and choosing the right industries and companies. With the right strategies, a Hardware Engineer can boost their salary and job satisfaction.

Here are five factors to consider if a Hardware Engineer wants to earn more:

  1. Experience: Gaining more years of experience often leads to higher pay. Engineers with more experience have more knowledge and skills. This makes them more valuable to employers.
  2. Advanced Certifications: Earning certifications in specialized areas can increase earning potential. Certifications show employers that an engineer has specific skills and knowledge. This can lead to higher-paying roles.
  3. Industry Choice: Some industries pay Hardware Engineers more. Technology and aerospace often offer higher salaries. Engineers can earn more by choosing these sectors.
  4. Company Size: Working for a larger company often leads to higher pay. Large companies have more resources and can offer competitive salaries. Engineers can earn more by working for these companies.
  5. Location: Where an engineer works can also affect their salary. Some cities and regions offer higher wages. Moving to these areas can lead to higher earnings.

Currently 297 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
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Hardware Engineer
297 Job Openings