Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: $162K vs $130K Median Pay

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: what changes?

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 Electronics Engineers, Except Computer if you would rather research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Hardware Engineer and Electronics Engineers, Except Computer. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer Hardware Engineer

National median pay (2025): $161,740
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,100

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer Hardware Engineer brief

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

National median pay (2025): $130,220
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Electronics Engineers, Except Computer brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer Hardware Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Computer Hardware Engineer is at 9.1% projected growth, compared with 3.7% projected growth for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.

Computer Hardware Engineer has the edge on median pay

Computer Hardware Engineer is at $161,740, compared with $130,220 for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer has the edge on annual openings

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer is at 4,900 annual openings, compared with 4,100 annual openings for Computer Hardware Engineer.

69.8/ 100

Computer Hardware Engineer

62/ 100

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Dimension	Computer Hardware Engineer	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Median pay (2025)	$161,740	$130,220
Pay percentile	96 percentile	92.2 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	9.1%	3.7%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	4,100	4,900
2025 employment	76,100	98,200
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Hardware Engineer brief Read Electronics Engineers, Except Computer brief

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer Hardware Engineer

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

How the national numbers differ

Computer Hardware Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Computer Hardware Engineer has the edge on median pay

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer has the edge on annual openings

Computer Hardware Engineer vs Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

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