Accountants and Auditors vs Computer Hardware Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $73,340 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 89.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $223,820 for Computer Hardware Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
$52,780$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Computer Hardware Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $85,430 | $-32,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $115,500 | $-50,840 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $155,020 | $-73,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $185,380 | $-78,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $223,820 | $-82,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $156,770 | $-63,250 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $73,340 (89.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Computer Hardware Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Hardware Engineers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Computer Hardware Engineers earns $155,020. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS