Computer Hardware Engineers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $78,730 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 103.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $47,640 | +$37,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $58,980 | +$56,520 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $76,290 | +$78,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $97,190 | +$88,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $115,280 | +$108,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $79,320 | +$77,450 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $78,730 (103.2% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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