SalaryByCity

Computer Hardware Engineers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Hardware Engineers

$155,020

Median annual salary

75,710 employed nationally

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$64,580

Median annual salary

1,072,540 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $90,440 more per year than Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals — that's 140.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$47,330 – $104,670
$47,330$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Hardware EngineersSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationDifference
10th Percentile$85,430$47,330+$38,100
25th Percentile$115,500$57,800+$57,700
Median (50th)$155,020$64,580+$90,440
75th Percentile$185,380$83,010+$102,370
90th Percentile$223,820$104,670+$119,150
Mean (Average)$156,770$73,700+$83,070

Employment Numbers

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

employed nationwide

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

1,072,540

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers

CityMedian
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$103,640
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$103,640
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$99,840
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$99,740
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,530

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $90,440 (140.0% 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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries range from $47,330 (10th percentile) to $104,670 (90th percentile), with a median of $64,580.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 1,072,540 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earns $64,580. 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