# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2061.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $161,740 (10th percentile $92,940, 90th percentile $225,330)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +9.1%
- Openings a year: 4,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 78 |
| Investigative (I) | 76 |
| Artistic (A) | 14 |
| Social (S) | 14 |
| Enterprising (E) | 16 |
| Conventional (C) | 73 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 97/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 92/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 87/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 81/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 79/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 76/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Writing, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Analysis, Systems Analysis

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Design, Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Telecommunications, Education and Training, Production and Processing, Administration and Management

## Also called

Analog Design Engineer, Analog IC Design Engineer (Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer), Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (ASIC Design Engineer), Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification Engineer (ASIC Design Verification Engineer), Computer Designer, Computer Engineer, Computer Hardware Designer, Computer Hardware Developer, Computer Hardware Engineer, Computer Installation Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1410) (CIP 1410, 456 colleges)
- [Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1409) (CIP 1409, 417 colleges)
- [Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1447) (CIP 1447, 46 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,074 | $250,168 | $19,500 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Computer Engineering | $137,925 | $228,705 | $17,731 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $154,713 | $200,543 | $13,548 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Computer Engineering | not reported | $194,365 | not reported |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Computer Engineering | $149,622 | $174,522 | $12,000 |
| [University of Washington-Seattle Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-seattle-main-campus-3075) | Computer Engineering | $147,670 | $169,570 | $13,570 |
| [University of Washington-Bothell Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-bothell-campus-3074) | Computer Engineering | $147,670 | $169,570 | $13,570 |
| [University of Washington-Tacoma Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-tacoma-campus-3076) | Computer Engineering | $147,670 | $169,570 | $13,570 |

## Related careers

- [Electronics Engineers, Except Computer](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronics-engineers-except-computer): $130,220 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Robotics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/robotics-technicians): $73,900 median pay
- [Mechatronics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechatronics-engineers): $122,930 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.