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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer I in Washington is $89,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Hardware Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hardware Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $96,580 | $8,048 | $1,857 | $46 |
| Average | $89,390 | $7,449 | $1,719 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,590 | $6,799 | $1,569 | $39 |
Team Red Dog - Redmond, WA
Midland-Marvel Recruiters - Woodland, WA
AAA USA Inc - Everett, WA
Andgar Food Processing Equipment, LLC - Ferndale, WA
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Design Engineer I | 0-2 years | $89,389 |
| Hardware Design Engineer II | 2-4 years | $106,866 |
| Hardware Design Engineer III | 4-7 years | $123,914 |
| Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist | 7+ years | $150,498 |
| Hardware Design Engineer V | 7-10 years | $177,655 |
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 Hardware Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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 $100,067. While startup companies pay approximate $84,654.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $84,654 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $89,532 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $96,632 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $100,067 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $107,268 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $105,480 | $51.0 | 18% |
| Business Services | $98,329 | $47.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $98,329 | $47.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $98,329 | $47.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $96,580 | $8,048 | $1,857 | $46 |
| Average | $89,390 | $7,449 | $1,719 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,590 | $6,799 | $1,569 | $39 |
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 $106,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
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.
Karman Space & Defense
Mukilteo, WA
Karman Space & Defense | Mukilteo, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineer. Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-ge... more
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DJ&A
Vancouver, WA
DJ&A | Vancouver, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Transportation Design Engineer (Entry to Mid-Level). (Vancouver, WA). About DJ&A. DJ&A is a multidisciplinary consulting ... more
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AI Foundry
Seattle, WA
AI Foundry | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Compensation. $225K - $350K+. Travel Requirement. International travel required to India 8+ times per year. AI Foundry is... more
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Northwest Aerospace Technologies
Everett, WA
Northwest Aerospace Technologies | Everett, WA
Job Description. Job Description. In the role of Electrical Design Engineer 3 you'll play a pivotal part on our Engineering team. Key Duties and Responsibi... more
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Grizzly Industrial Inc
Bellingham, WA
Grizzly Industrial Inc | Bellingham, WA
Job Description. Job Description. We have an immediate opening for a Product Design Engineer in our Bellingham, WA facility. Job Responsibilities. Design a... more
5 Days Ago
Telvero
Seattle, WA
Telvero | Seattle, WA
If the application for this position prompts you to respond to a question with number of years, e.g., your number of years of relevant work experience, ple... more
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