Computer Hardware Engineers vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $42,430 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 37.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$63,650$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $63,650 | +$21,780 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $82,630 | +$32,870 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $112,590 | +$42,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $155,810 | +$29,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $194,410 | +$29,410 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $124,590 | +$32,180 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Data Scientists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,430 (37.7% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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