Computer Hardware Engineers vs Industrial 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 $53,880 more per year than Industrial Engineers professionals — that's 53.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$70,000$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $70,000 | +$15,430 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $81,910 | +$33,590 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $101,140 | +$53,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $127,480 | +$57,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $157,140 | +$66,680 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $107,900 | +$48,870 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Industrial Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,880 (53.3% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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