Computer Hardware Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$126,590
- 25th Percentile — Junior$150,700
- 50th Percentile — Median$185,180
- 75th Percentile — Senior$219,980
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$281,210
Half of Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn more than $185,180. The top 10% make $281,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $126,590.
Computer Hardware Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 41 states for Computer Hardware Engineers pay, at $190,590 per year (17.2% above the U.S. average of $162,670).
- 19,820 people work as Computer Hardware Engineers in California — 25.9% of all U.S. Computer Hardware Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 2.21: Computer Hardware Engineers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $126,590; the top 10% earn over $281,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $91.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among engineering jobs in California, Nuclear Engineers pays the most ($160,980).
Computer Hardware Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Computer Hardware Engineers here earn $190,590 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $190,590 is roughly equivalent to $134,218 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($178,320), Massachusetts ($177,030), New York ($164,770) are the closest alternatives for Computer Hardware Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Nuclear Engineers $160,980/yr California 15.5% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California 16.1% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California 20.7% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California 22.4% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California 26.7% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California 28.3% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California 30.5% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $131,090/yr California 31.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in California?
The average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in California is $190,590 per year (median $185,180), which is 17.2% above the national average of $162,670.
How does California rank for Computer Hardware Engineers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 41 states. The highest-paying state is California ($190,590/yr).
How much do entry-level Computer Hardware Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn about $126,590 per year and the 25th percentile is $150,700.
How much do Computer Hardware Engineers make per hour in California?
About $91.63 per hour, based on the $190,590 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 19,820 Computer Hardware Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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