Computer Hardware Engineers vs Transit and Railroad Police: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $72,700 more per year than Transit and Railroad Police professionals — that's 88.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $141,870 for Transit and Railroad Police.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Transit and Railroad Police$58,370 – $141,870
$58,370$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Transit and Railroad Police | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $58,370 | +$27,060 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $65,920 | +$49,580 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $82,320 | +$72,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $114,040 | +$71,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $141,870 | +$81,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $91,820 | +$64,950 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Transit and Railroad Police
3,000
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 Transit and Railroad Police
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,490 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $91,930 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $89,220 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $86,650 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Transit and Railroad Police?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $72,700 (88.3% 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 Transit and Railroad Police?
Transit and Railroad Police salaries range from $58,370 (10th percentile) to $141,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $82,320.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Transit and Railroad Police jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 3,000 Transit and Railroad Police positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Transit and Railroad Police to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Transit and Railroad Police earns $82,320. 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