SalaryByCity

Computer Hardware Engineers vs Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Hardware Engineers

$155,020

Median annual salary

75,710 employed nationally

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

$56,270

Median annual salary

71,620 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $98,750 more per year than Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals — that's 175.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $96,400 for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$37,060 – $96,400
$37,060$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Hardware EngineersEducation and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareDifference
10th Percentile$85,430$37,060+$48,370
25th Percentile$115,500$45,310+$70,190
Median (50th)$155,020$56,270+$98,750
75th Percentile$185,380$72,690+$112,690
90th Percentile$223,820$96,400+$127,420
Mean (Average)$156,770$62,640+$94,130

Employment Numbers

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

employed nationwide

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

71,620

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers

CityMedian
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 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$79,000
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$77,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$64,180
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$61,880

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $98,750 (175.5% 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 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salaries range from $37,060 (10th percentile) to $96,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $56,270.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 71,620 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $56,270. 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