Computer Hardware Engineers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $21,940 more per year than Software Developers professionals — that's 16.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$79,850$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $79,850 | +$5,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $103,050 | +$12,450 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $133,080 | +$21,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $169,000 | +$16,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $211,450 | +$12,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $144,570 | +$12,200 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Software Developers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,940 (16.5% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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