Computer Hardware Engineers vs Web 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 $64,090 more per year than Web Developers professionals — that's 70.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$48,560$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $48,560 | +$36,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $63,140 | +$52,360 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $90,930 | +$64,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $124,300 | +$61,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $162,870 | +$60,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $98,790 | +$57,980 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Web Developers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $64,090 (70.5% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Web Developers earns $90,930. 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