Computer Hardware Engineers
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 it pays
Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median of $77.76/hr — about $161,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $44.68/hr; the top 10% earn $108.33/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median of $77.76/hr — about $161,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $44.68/hr; the top 10% earn $108.33/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work splits time indoors and out; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 1.1% of computer hardware engineers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, analytical and organized and detail-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
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- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
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Quick questions
- How much does a computer hardware engineer make?
- The median pay is $77.76 per hour — roughly $161,500 a year, with the real range running from about $44.68/hr (10th percentile) to $108.33/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a computer hardware engineer?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a computer hardware engineer actually do all day?
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives. Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.