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Hourly Wage for Hardware Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Hardware Design Engineer I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Hardware Design Engineer I in the United States is $40, which translates to an annual salary of about $82,440.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36 to $43 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $36 10% $33 90% $46 75% $43 $40 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,080 $7,423 $1,713 $43
Average $82,440 $6,870 $1,585 $40
25th Percentile $75,250 $6,271 $1,447 $36
Check out Hardware Design Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

giftHEALTH Inc - Columbus, OH

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Design Engineer

Goken - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

Goken - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Hardware Design Engineer I Salaries

A Hardware Design Engineer I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Hardware Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Design Engineer I'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:

  • Hardware Design Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,439
  • Hardware Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,558
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,280
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,797
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,843
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer I0-2 years$82,439
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,558
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,280
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,797
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,843
$82,439 Hardware ...
$98,558 Hardware ...
$114,280 Hardware ...
$138,797 Hardware ...
$163,843 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Design Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $103,990
  • San Francisco: $102,850
  • Oakland: $100,680

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Design Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hardware Design (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): Hardware design may be viewed as algorithm, which considers all of the systems present and foreseeable requirements and arranges the necessary hardware components into a workable set of cleanly bounded subsystems with no more parts than are required.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): The process of circuit design can cover systems ranging from complex electronic systems all the way down to the individual transistors within an integrated circuit. For simple circuits the design process can often be done by one person without needing a planned or structured design process, but for more complex designs, teams of designers following a systematic approach with intelligently guided computer simulation are becoming increasingly common. In integrated circuit design automation, the term "circuit design" often refers to the step of the design cycle which outputs the schematics of the integrated circuit. Typically this is the step between logic design and physical design.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.61%
Hardware Design 2.88%
Circuit Design 1.82%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Hardware Design Engineer I's salary.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making
$96,455
17%
Team Development
$92,333
12%
Leadership
$91,508
11%
Algorithms
$91,508
11%
Networking
$90,684
10%
Hardware Development
$90,684
10%
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Hardware Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,287. While startup companies pay approximate $78,072.

Hardware Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$78,072
Growth Stage51~500$82,571
Established501~5000$89,119
Enterprise5000+$92,287

Hardware Design Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Design Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Design Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Design Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Design Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$98,928$48.020%
Financial Services$97,279$47.018%
Business Services$90,684$44.010%
Healthcare$90,684$44.010%
Pharmaceuticals$90,684$44.010%

How Education impacts a Hardware Design Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Design Engineer Is 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 a Hardware Design Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,551 and $77,782).

Hardware Design Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Design Engineer I
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%
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Hardware Design Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Design Engineer I'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Hardware Design Engineer I

Salaries for a Hardware Design Engineer I 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 Hardware Design Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware Design Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$79,391
2024
$78,725
2025
$77,771
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $79,391
2024 $78,725
2025 $77,771
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware Design Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Hardware Design Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Hardware Design Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Hardware Design Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hardware Design Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • The Misch Group

    Columbus, OH

    The Misch Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a full-time electrical engineer or electrical designer with at least 3 years of experience to... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pop-Up Talent

    Columbus, OH

    Pop-Up Talent | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Electrical Design/Controls Engineer – Experienced. Gahanna, OH 43230. MJ Engineering & Consulting, Inc. is a full-service... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Inner Circle Agency Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Inner Circle Agency Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Switchgear Design Engineer (UL891). Job Location. Charleston, SC / North Charleston, SC. In-Office, Hybrid or ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    5 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    5 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    11 Days Ago

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FAQ about Hardware Design Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hardware Design Engineer I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Design Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What skills do you need to be a computer hardware engineer?

To be a successful computer hardware engineer, you need strong analytical skills to evaluate digital circuits, critical-thinking abilities to assess design options, problem-solving skills to address challenges, and effective communication skills to collaborate with team members. The salary for this role typically ranges from $73,990 to $84,950, with a mid-point of $79,600.

3. What is the lowest salary for a hardware engineer?

The lowest salary for a Hardware Design Engineer is $73,990. The salary range for this position typically falls between $73,990 and $84,950, with a mid-level salary of $79,600.

4. What is the monthly income of a hardware engineer?

The monthly income of a Hardware Design Engineer typically ranges from approximately ₹61,658 to ₹70,792, with an average monthly salary around ₹66,333. Entry-level positions may start at ₹6,158 per month, while experienced engineers can earn up to ₹70,792 monthly.

5. Are hardware engineers in high demand?

The demand for hardware design engineers is indeed high, with competitive salaries reflecting this trend. The minimum salary starts at $73,990, while the mid-range salary is around $79,600, and experienced professionals can earn up to $84,950. This indicates a robust job market for those in the field.

6. What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design job in hardware engineering is the Hardware Design Engineer position. The salary range for this role typically starts at $73,990, with a mid-level salary of $79,600, and can go up to a maximum of $84,950. This reflects the demand and expertise required in the field of hardware design.

7. How much does a hardware design engineer make in the US?

As of now, the salary range for a Hardware Design Engineer in the United States is between $73,990 and $84,950 annually, with a mid-salary of $79,600. This translates to approximately $35.48 to $40.80 per hour, or about $1,423 to $1,635 per week.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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