Computer Hardware Engineers vs Computer User Support Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $94,680 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 156.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $98,010 for Computer User Support Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
$38,780$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Computer User Support Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $38,780 | +$46,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $47,580 | +$67,920 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $60,340 | +$94,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $77,010 | +$108,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $98,010 | +$125,810 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $64,990 | +$91,780 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $94,680 (156.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Computer User Support Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer User Support Specialists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Computer User Support Specialists earns $60,340. 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