Computer Hardware Engineers vs Project Management 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 $54,270 more per year than Project Management Specialists professionals — that's 53.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $59,830 | +$25,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $76,950 | +$38,550 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $100,750 | +$54,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $131,660 | +$53,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $165,790 | +$58,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $108,100 | +$48,670 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Project Management Specialists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,270 (53.9% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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