National Salary Overview
Computer Hardware Engineers
Median Salary
$130,163
Average (Mean)
$134,722
Employed Nationwide
66,950
VS
Computer Hardware Engineers earns $24,747 more (23.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$130,163
$105,415
Average (Mean) Salary
$134,722
$110,677
Total Employment
66,950
291,190
States with Higher Pay
35
6
Salary by State: Computer Hardware Engineers vs Mechanical Engineers
Showing 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. Computer Hardware Engineers pays more in 35 states; Mechanical Engineers pays more in 6.
| State | Computer Hardware Engineers | Mechanical Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $136,990 | $100,230 | +$36,760 | ||
| Arizona | $158,280 | $100,270 | +$58,010 | ||
| Arkansas | $120,290 | $80,180 | +$40,110 | ||
| California | $185,180 | $130,900 | +$54,280 | ||
| Colorado | $156,080 | $124,430 | +$31,650 | ||
| Delaware | $135,690 | $125,130 | +$10,560 | ||
| District of Columbia | $163,360 | $133,300 | +$30,060 | ||
| Florida | $134,160 | $99,980 | +$34,180 | ||
| Georgia | $100,210 | $100,620 | $-410 | ||
| Hawaii | $159,880 | $98,740 | +$61,140 | ||
| Idaho | $131,570 | $93,190 | +$38,380 | ||
| Illinois | $133,220 | $102,680 | +$30,540 | ||
| Indiana | $98,350 | $99,590 | $-1,240 | ||
| Iowa | $125,120 | $97,700 | +$27,420 | ||
| Kansas | $101,750 | $86,260 | +$15,490 | ||
| Kentucky | $116,200 | $101,050 | +$15,150 | ||
| Louisiana | $83,550 | $119,540 | $-35,990 | ||
| Maryland | $152,730 | $122,870 | +$29,860 | ||
| Massachusetts | $167,600 | $119,300 | +$48,300 | ||
| Michigan | $119,670 | $104,890 | +$14,780 | ||
| Minnesota | $134,300 | $99,140 | +$35,160 | ||
| Mississippi | $78,320 | $98,000 | $-19,680 | ||
| Missouri | $103,980 | $99,330 | +$4,650 | ||
| Nebraska | $134,950 | $88,060 | +$46,890 | ||
| Nevada | $116,530 | $102,680 | +$13,850 | ||
| New Hampshire | $129,140 | $103,660 | +$25,480 | ||
| New Jersey | $142,880 | $112,300 | +$30,580 | ||
| New Mexico | $165,350 | $157,710 | +$7,640 | ||
| New York | $163,470 | $102,440 | +$61,030 | ||
| North Carolina | $134,670 | $100,720 | +$33,950 | ||
| Ohio | $118,160 | $99,100 | +$19,060 | ||
| Oklahoma | $95,600 | $101,850 | $-6,250 | ||
| Rhode Island | $119,510 | $116,230 | +$3,280 | ||
| South Carolina | $125,110 | $104,580 | +$20,530 | ||
| South Dakota | $101,400 | $88,380 | +$13,020 | ||
| Tennessee | $130,830 | $99,550 | +$31,280 | ||
| Texas | $163,860 | $112,410 | +$51,450 | ||
| Utah | $106,950 | $102,500 | +$4,450 | ||
| Virginia | $139,030 | $104,180 | +$34,850 | ||
| Washington | $169,120 | $110,430 | +$58,690 | ||
| Wisconsin | $83,670 | $95,870 | $-12,200 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Computer Hardware Engineers vs Mechanical Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
On average across all states, a Computer Hardware Engineers earns more than a Mechanical Engineers. The national median salary difference is $24,747 (23.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Computer Hardware Engineers earn more than a Mechanical Engineers?
A Computer Hardware Engineers earns a higher median salary than a Mechanical Engineers in 35 out of 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mechanical Engineers pays more in 6 states.
What is the median salary for a Computer Hardware Engineers vs Mechanical Engineers?
The national median salary for a Computer Hardware Engineers is $130,163 per year, compared to $105,415 for a Mechanical Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Computer Hardware Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
There are more people employed as Mechanical Engineers. BLS reports approximately 66,950 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 291,190 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Computer Hardware Engineers or Mechanical Engineers?
Both Computer Hardware Engineers and Mechanical Engineers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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