Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in California
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $185,180 —14.5% above the national median of $161,740. That ranks CA #1 of 41 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 2.21× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for computer hardware engineers
All 41 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $185,180 | $89.03 | 19,820 | 2.21 |
| 2 | Washington | $169,120 | $81.31 | 1,800 | 1.03 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $167,600 | $80.58 | 3,150 | 1.76 |
| 4 | New Mexico | $165,350 | $79.50 | 5,260 | 12.25 |
| 5 | Texas | $163,860 | $78.78 | 7,390 | 1.06 |
| 6 | New York | $163,470 | $78.59 | 3,020 | 0.63 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $163,360 | $78.54 | 210 | 0.62 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $159,880 | $76.87 | 90 | 0.28 |
| 9 | Arizona | $158,280 | $76.10 | 3,110 | 1.94 |
| 10 | Colorado | $156,080 | $75.04 | 2,660 | 1.87 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers in California is $185,180, or $89.03 per hour. That is 14.5% above the national median of $161,740.
What is the entry-level computer hardware engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $126,590 per year ($60.86/hour). The 25th percentile is $150,700.
How many people work as computer hardware engineers in California?
About 19,820 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for computer hardware engineers?
California ranks #1 of 41 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.21x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays computer hardware engineers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $185,180 per year, followed by Washington ($169,120) and Massachusetts ($167,600).