Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Computer Hardware Engineers
SOC: 17-2061 O*NET: 17-2061.00
Median Salary
$155,020
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.3%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
What does a Computer Hardware Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$85,430
10th percentile
Early Career
$115,500
25th percentile
Median
$155,020
50th percentile
Experienced
$185,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$223,820
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$85,430
25th
$115,500
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$155,020
Mean: $156,770
75th
$185,380
90th
$223,820
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $138,390 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $115,500 and $185,380
- •Salary spread is 45.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 75,710 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:76,800
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services41.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services41.8%
Manufacturing33.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.3%
Annual Openings:4,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)76,800
Current
2034 (Projected)82,400
+7.3%
+5,600
Employment Change
+7.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Computer Hardware Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
California
24,200 jobs$179,8802.73x
Arizona
3,390 jobs$163,0902.16x
Texas
3,380 jobs$133,2500.50x
Massachusetts
3,350 jobs$170,5701.87x
Colorado
2,920 jobs$162,9202.05x
Florida
2,890 jobs$125,6400.60x
New York
2,500 jobs$141,7800.53x
Maryland
2,420 jobs$137,9301.80x
Virginia
1,840 jobs$139,5700.92x
Illinois
1,500 jobs$107,7200.50x
Michigan
1,440 jobs$113,6200.67x
Washington
1,370 jobs$174,0700.79x
North Carolina
1,250 jobs$131,6000.52x
Pennsylvania
940 jobs$131,6600.32x
Idaho
820 jobs$127,8801.98x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Operations Analysis
46%
#10
Systems Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operations Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval82%
5 shared skills
Industrial Ecologists82%
5 shared skills
Health Informatics Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Curators82%
5 shared skills
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Wind Energy Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Computer Hardware Engineers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechC
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechApache Subversion SVN
🔥 Hot TechGit
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechOracle Java
🔥 Hot TechPerl
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
C
Microsoft Visual Basic
Apache Subversion SVN
Git
C++
Oracle Java
Perl
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Planning & Development (7)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Computer Hardware Engineers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value working conditions
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Computer Hardware Engineers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.59
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.52
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.10
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.03
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.97
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.93
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Innovation
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Dependability
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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