Computer Hardware Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Computer Hardware Engineers research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. The role reports a median annual salary of $155,020 in the US with the middle 80% earning between $80,190 and $214,930 and is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.60 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Reading Comprehension, Systems Analysis.
Salary distribution (US)
Real salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The p10–p90 spread tells you more than the median alone.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Telecommunications
- Physics
- Production and Processing
A day in the life
You start your morning in the lab reviewing overnight test results from a prototype circuit board, checking oscilloscope readings and thermal data to see if your latest design revision passes validation. Your day alternates between schematic design in EDA tools like Cadence or Altium, hands-on bench work soldering and probing components, and design-review meetings with firmware engineers and product managers who need your hardware to meet tight power and performance specs. You troubleshoot signal-integrity issues, pore over datasheets from chip vendors, and sometimes visit manufacturing partners to resolve yield problems on the production line. The thrill of powering on a board you designed from scratch is unmatched, but the long lead times for silicon and the painstaking debugging of intermittent hardware faults require serious patience.
Frequently asked questions
What does Computer Hardware Engineers do?
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
What does a typical day look like in Computer Hardware Engineers?
You start your morning in the lab reviewing overnight test results from a prototype circuit board, checking oscilloscope readings and thermal data to see if your latest design revision passes validation. Your day alternates between schematic design in EDA tools like Cadence or Altium, hands-on bench work soldering and probing components, and design-review meetings with firmware engineers and product managers who need your hardware to meet tight power and performance specs.
How much does Computer Hardware Engineers earn?
The median annual salary for Computer Hardware Engineers in the US is $155,020. The middle 80% of workers earn between $80,190 and $214,930 annually. Entry-to-mid-career earners typically fall between $104,200 and $172,750.
What is the job outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers?
The role is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 76,800 workers.
How do I become computer hardware engineers?
The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Computer Hardware Engineers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Reading Comprehension, Systems Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Computer Hardware Engineers?
Our AI-durability model gives Computer Hardware Engineers a score of 0.60 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Computer Hardware Engineers has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.
Is Computer Hardware Engineers right for you?
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