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Hardware Design Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Hardware Design Engineer I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer I in the United States is $84,460 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Hardware Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,451
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,090 to $91,260
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,380
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $84,460
  • Hardware Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,561
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $119,346
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,794
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,833
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer I0-2 years$84,460
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,561
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$119,346
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,794
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,833
View as Graph

How Do Hardware Design Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Hardware Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $93,520.
  • California: $93,160.
  • Massachusetts: $91,920.

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: $106,530
  • San Francisco: $105,370
  • Oakland: $103,150

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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.61%
Hardware Design 2.88%
Circuit Design 1.82%
See More Skills

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 $98,818
17%
Team Development $94,595
12%
Leadership $93,751
11%
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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 $94,291. While startup companies pay approximate $79,840.

Hardware Design Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,840
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,421
Established 501~5000 $91,045
Enterprise 5000+ $94,291

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$101,352$49.020%
Financial Services$99,663$48.018%
Business Services$92,906$45.010%
Healthcare$92,906$45.010%
Pharmaceuticals$92,906$45.010%

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 October 01, 2026
$77,090
Average $84,460/year
$91,260
$6,424
Average $7,038/month
$7,605
$1,483
Average $1,624/week
$1,755
$37
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,260 $7,605 $1,755 $44
Average $84,460 $7,038 $1,624 $41
25th Percentile $77,090 $6,424 $1,483 $37

Hardware Design Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Design Engineer I

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Advancement

For a Hardware Design Engineer I, 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 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware Design Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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.

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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 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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