Computer Hardware Engineers vs Financial Risk 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 $49,020 more per year than Financial Risk Specialists professionals — that's 46.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $182,310 for Financial Risk Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Financial Risk Specialists$62,270 – $182,310
$62,270$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Financial Risk Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $62,270 | +$23,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $80,280 | +$35,220 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $106,000 | +$49,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $145,020 | +$40,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $182,310 | +$41,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $119,930 | +$36,840 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Financial Risk Specialists
56,320
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 Risk Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $141,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $140,050 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,750 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Financial Risk Specialists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $49,020 (46.2% 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 Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists salaries range from $62,270 (10th percentile) to $182,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,000.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Financial Risk Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 56,320 Financial Risk Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Risk Specialists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Financial Risk Specialists earns $106,000. 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