Computer Hardware Engineers vs Electrical 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 $43,110 more per year than Electrical Engineers professionals — that's 38.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$74,670$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $74,670 | +$10,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $87,590 | +$27,910 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $111,910 | +$43,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $141,630 | +$43,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $175,460 | +$48,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $120,980 | +$35,790 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
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 Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Electrical Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,110 (38.5% 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 Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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