Computer Hardware Engineers vs Financial Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Managers professionals earn $6,680 more per year than Computer Hardware Engineers professionals — that's 4.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Financial Managers$86,490 – N/A
$85,430$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Financial Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $86,490 | $-1,060 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $118,360 | $-2,860 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $161,700 | $-6,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $214,210 | $-28,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $180,470 | $-23,700 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Financial Managers
818,620
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 Financial Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $218,920 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $216,520 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $211,730 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $188,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $180,770 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Financial Managers?
Financial Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,680 (4.3% 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 Financial Managers?
Financial Managers salaries range from $86,490 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,700.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Financial Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 818,620 Financial Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Managers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Financial Managers earns $161,700. 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