Engineering and Architecture · Career brief

Computer Hardware Engineer

Is it a good career to pursue?

The 30-second read

Computer Hardware Engineer at a glance

Six signals to look at before you spend time on the full guide.

1Pay

$161,740

Very high national median pay

2025 national median. Top 10% for pay among careers on ChooseField.

2Demand

9.1%

Strong projected growth

Projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Top quarter for growth among careers on ChooseField.

3Openings

4,100

Moderate opening volume

Average openings per year in 2025–2035, including replacement hiring. Near the middle of ChooseField careers for openings.

4Route in

Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is typically expected

Bachelor's degree. Prior related work is not typically required.

5The work

Hands-on

Practical work with tools, systems, or physical environments

Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.

6The catch

Know this first

What could make this a poor fit

Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.

ChooseField take

The strongest national signals are pay and growth; each ranks in the top quarter of ChooseField careers. It makes the most sense if hands-on work appeals to you and you are comfortable with a bachelor's-degree path. Main tradeoff: Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.

Before choosing, compare:Software Developer Electrical Engineer Mechanical Engineer

National labor-market measures: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. Work-profile signals: O*NET. See sources and caveats.

Compare Computer Hardware Engineer with another field Explore rankings in Engineering and Architecture Open shareable infographic

Want the evidence behind the snapshot?

Market and path

Pay, outlook, and the route in

National median pay (2025)

$161,740

A midpoint for workers nationwide, not a starting salary.

2025–2035 outlook

9.1%employment growth4,100openings per year

Openings include replacement hiring, not only newly created jobs.

Typical entry route

Bachelor's degree

BLS reports the usual education, related experience, and on-the-job training, not a guaranteed minimum for every employer.

2025 employment

76,100

Estimated workers in this occupation across the United States.

Source: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 occupational projections ↗ · Computer hardware engineers (17-2061).

Actual responsibilities

What you would be trusted to own

Selected O*NET task statements, not a list of traits that applies to almost every career.

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.
Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.

Work profile

What the work emphasizes

O*NET importance scores. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Working with Computers4.9
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.5
Analyzing Data or Information4.5
Getting Information4.4

Interest profile

Career interests

O*NET interest scores describe work someone may enjoy, not personality requirements. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Relative mix of the interest scores below, not percentages of your workday.

Realistic5.7
Investigative5.6
Conventional5.4
Enterprising2.0
Artistic1.8
Social1.8

Preparation

What the training must make you competent at

Subject matter

Computers and Electronics Engineering and Technology Design Mathematics

Software and tools named in job postings

Linux Perl Python C++ C The MathWorks MATLAB

Before choosing the major or training

Run a cheaper test first

Complete a small design-build-test project with real constraints: measure, model, build or simulate, test, and revise after the first failure.
Ask an early-career worker which beginner task consumes the most time, what makes new hires quit, and what school or training failed to simulate.

The fuller career guide

How the evidence fits together

The tradeoff that matters most

Hardware engineering offers very high pay in a much smaller market than software. That smaller market can be attractive, but it also means industry concentration and specialization matter more than a national average alone suggests.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this career

Is computer hardware engineering worth it?

Consider this field if its core work interests you: research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Try an introductory project, class, or permitted observation before committing to training. Compare the actual cost and required experience with entry-level work available where you plan to live.

Computer engineering vs computer science

Consider Computer Hardware Engineer if you want to research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Consider Software Developer if you would rather research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Compare a sample task and the qualification requirements for each before choosing between them.

Hardware engineer salary

The national median annual wage in May 2025 was $161,740. This is a benchmark rather than an expected starting salary; actual compensation varies by experience, location, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Will AI replace hardware engineers?

This guide does not establish an AI replacement forecast. Ask how design tools change simulation, prototype testing, fault investigation, and validation against physical requirements. Producing a design does not by itself establish who will test it or take responsibility for its performance.

Adjacent options

Compare before committing

The useful question is not whether one field wins overall, but what changes when you choose a nearby path. Explore the full career guides for Software Developer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.