As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Hardware Engineer in the United States is $82,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, an Entry Hardware Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Hardware Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Hardware Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Hardware Engineer | 0-2 years | $82,438 |
| Hardware Design Engineer II | 2-4 years | $98,554 |
| Hardware Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $114,278 |
| Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist | 7+ years | $138,801 |
| Hardware Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $163,859 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Hardware Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.61% |
| Hardware Design | 2.88% |
| Circuit Design | 1.82% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Decision Making
|
$96,525 |
17%
|
|
Team Development
|
$92,400 |
12%
|
|
Leadership
|
$91,575 |
11%
|
|
Algorithms
|
$91,575 |
11%
|
|
Networking
|
$90,750 |
10%
|
|
Hardware Development
|
$90,750 |
10%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Hardware Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Hardware Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,604 and $77,864).
Entry Hardware Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 4.1% |
| High School | 4.1% |
| Associates | 8.1% |
| Bachelors | 55.8% |
| Masters | 27.4% |
| Doctorate | 4.1% |
Understanding how an Entry Hardware Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 01, 2026For an Entry Hardware Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $98,600 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for an Entry Hardware Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,391 in 2023 to around $77,771 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Hardware Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $79,391 |
| 2024 | $78,725 |
| 2025 | $77,771 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The highest-paid engineers in the USA include those in Computer Engineering, earning an average of $140,830, followed by IT Engineering at $132,930. For Entry Hardware Engineers, the salary ranges from $74,000 to $85,000, with a mid-salary of $79,600, reflecting the diverse earning potential across engineering disciplines.
To be a successful computer hardware engineer, you need strong analytical skills to evaluate digital circuits, critical-thinking skills for effective design solutions, problem-solving abilities to address technical challenges, and good communication skills to collaborate with team members. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries ranging from $74,000 to $85,000, with a mid-salary of $79,600.
A beginner hardware engineer in the USA typically earns between $74,000 and $85,000 annually, with a median salary of around $79,600. This range reflects the entry-level compensation for this role, which can vary based on location and company.
The lowest salary for an Entry Hardware Engineer is $74,000. The average salary is around $79,600, with the maximum reaching $85,000. This data reflects the current salary range for entry-level positions in the field.
Yes, hardware engineers are in high demand, with salaries reflecting this trend. Entry-level positions typically offer a minimum salary of $74,000, a mid-range salary of $79,600, and a maximum salary of $85,000. This competitive compensation highlights the growing need for skilled professionals in the field.
For an entry-level Hardware Engineer, you can expect a salary range between $74,000 and $85,000. It's advisable to aim for a salary close to the mid-point of $79,600. Keep in mind that many employers may have fixed salaries for entry-level positions, limiting negotiation flexibility.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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