17
Computer Hardware Engineers is a notable career in the 17 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Computer Hardware Engineers against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 17-2061 |
| title | Computer Hardware Engineers |
| onet code | 17-2061.00 |
| description | 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. |
| job zone | 4 |
| major group | 17 |
| tot emp | 75,710 |
| a mean | 156,770 |
| a median | 155,020 |
| a pct10 | 85,430 |
| a pct25 | 115,500 |
| a pct75 | 185,380 |
| a pct90 | 223,820 |
| h mean | 75 |
| h median | 74 |
The day-to-day work of a computer hardware engineers typically centers on update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Writing. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.76 out of 5 — highly rated for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working computer hardware engineers, the most common entry qualification is a Bachelor's Degree (48.3%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 93% of incumbents. This is a degree-heavy profession — most incumbents hold a four-year degree or beyond.
Median annual pay is highest in Connecticut at $188,540 and lowest in North Dakota at $73,390 — a 2.6× spread. The top five states (Connecticut, California, Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona) average $175,230. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $188,540 | $170,230 | $97,530 | $199,140 | 480 |
| California | $179,880 | $183,350 | $117,180 | — | 24,200 |
| Washington | $174,070 | $156,770 | $96,390 | $174,070 | 1,370 |
| Massachusetts | $170,570 | $174,290 | $118,350 | $219,520 | 3,350 |
| Arizona | $163,090 | $155,730 | $99,480 | $210,740 | 3,390 |
| Colorado | $162,920 | $159,920 | $99,870 | $221,900 | 2,920 |
| Hawaii | $155,390 | $142,010 | $92,770 | $197,280 | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $153,630 | $154,600 | $98,260 | $213,770 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $152,840 | $142,240 | $75,980 | $197,170 | 290 |
| New York | $141,780 | $146,890 | $84,830 | $218,110 | 2,500 |
| Montana | $141,680 | $139,230 | $105,800 | $183,500 | 50 |
| Virginia | $139,570 | $143,220 | $82,760 | $215,110 | 1,840 |
| Maryland | $137,930 | $141,810 | $95,910 | $191,880 | 2,420 |
| Alabama | $136,660 | $133,770 | $79,480 | $187,030 | 800 |
| Alaska | $136,080 | $129,410 | $94,090 | $176,230 | 40 |
| Texas | $133,250 | $131,250 | $72,220 | $176,600 | 3,380 |
| Delaware | $132,050 | $129,940 | $60,370 | $210,130 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,660 | $136,310 | $82,230 | $200,670 | 940 |
| North Carolina | $131,600 | $137,020 | $66,590 | $227,720 | 1,250 |
| New Jersey | $131,540 | $133,600 | $85,190 | $191,010 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $130,530 | $130,730 | $94,860 | $160,380 | 560 |
| Idaho | $127,880 | $135,980 | $82,840 | $206,900 | 820 |
| Nebraska | $125,920 | $118,520 | $84,170 | $140,930 | 90 |
| Florida | $125,640 | $124,320 | $69,990 | $175,030 | 2,890 |
| Ohio | $124,800 | $124,640 | $53,230 | $188,880 | 790 |
| Arkansas | $122,860 | $131,810 | $85,070 | $202,050 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $119,540 | $120,280 | $79,730 | $153,040 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $119,010 | $122,270 | $61,490 | $182,660 | 510 |
| Michigan | $113,620 | $125,370 | $84,230 | $186,110 | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma | $113,030 | $115,980 | $75,710 | $168,360 | 120 |
| Iowa | $111,080 | $124,450 | $74,970 | $169,710 | 200 |
| Georgia | $108,590 | $123,190 | $82,680 | $175,810 | 520 |
| Illinois | $107,720 | $112,910 | $44,400 | $175,670 | 1,500 |
| Utah | $104,080 | $108,990 | $70,600 | $163,880 | 430 |
| Nevada | $102,640 | $117,950 | $78,610 | $155,150 | 120 |
| Kansas | $101,650 | $105,150 | $73,510 | $146,090 | 190 |
| Missouri | $101,120 | $104,340 | $49,360 | $155,520 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $100,430 | $107,010 | $69,720 | $160,690 | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $98,040 | $100,480 | $67,220 | $147,050 | 500 |
| Indiana | $95,120 | $97,660 | $72,550 | $133,120 | 300 |
| Louisiana | $93,570 | $100,680 | $43,620 | $171,090 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $88,750 | $90,810 | $60,710 | $125,260 | — |
| Mississippi | $76,120 | $87,040 | $60,940 | $131,970 | 180 |
| North Dakota | $73,390 | $83,780 | $42,030 | $138,000 | — |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for computer hardware engineers. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (ASIC Design Engineer) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification Engineer (ASIC Design Verification Engineer) frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Computer Hardware Engineers compares to others in the 17 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Computer Hardware Engineers
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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