Computer Hardware Engineers vs Human Resources 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 $82,110 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 112.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $45,440 | +$39,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $55,870 | +$59,630 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $72,910 | +$82,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $97,270 | +$88,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $126,540 | +$97,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $79,730 | +$77,040 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Human Resources Specialists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $82,110 (112.6% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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