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Hardware Design Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer V in the United States is $163,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $179,566
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,200 to $172,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,279

Key Factors That Influence Hardware Design Engineer V Salaries

A Hardware Design Engineer V'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 V'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 III (4-7 years): $119,346
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,794
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,833
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,805
  • Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $127,795
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$119,346
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,794
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,833
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,805
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$127,795

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Design Engineer Vs

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: $206,700
  • San Francisco: $204,400
  • Oakland: $200,100

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.47% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 3.73% 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.
  • Hardware Development (Mentioned in 2.16% Job Postings): Hardware development is a complex effort that includes the creation and optimization of electronics and mechanical system elements that perform various computational processes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.47%
Circuit Design 3.73%
Hardware Development 2.16%

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 V's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $186,846
14%
Presentation $181,929
11%
Prototyping $178,651
9%

Hardware Design Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Design Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $182,977. While startup companies pay approximate $154,935.

Hardware Design Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $154,935
Growth Stage 51~500 $163,824
Established 501~5000 $176,679
Enterprise 5000+ $182,977

Hardware Design Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Design Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Design Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Design Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Design Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$196,680$95.020%
Software & Networking$196,680$95.020%
Energy & Utilities$188,485$91.015%
Chemicals$180,290$87.010%
Insurance$180,290$87.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Design Engineer Vs 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 V with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $160,097 and $167,722).

Hardware Design Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Design Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 4.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 23.4%
Masters 57.7%
Doctorate 11.7%

Hardware Design Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Design Engineer V'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
$155,200
Average $163,900/year
$172,100
$12,933
Average $13,658/month
$14,342
$2,985
Average $3,152/week
$3,310
$75
Average $79/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,100 $14,342 $3,310 $83
Average $163,900 $13,658 $3,152 $79
25th Percentile $155,200 $12,933 $2,985 $75

Hardware Design Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Hardware Design Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Development Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware Design Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Hardware Design Engineer V

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

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FAQ about Hardware Design Engineer V

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Design Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which engineering is the richest?

Among engineering careers, Hardware Design Engineers stand out with a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $157,500, the mid-salary is $170,800, and the maximum salary reaches $184,700. This positions them favorably compared to other engineering fields, making Hardware Design Engineering one of the highest-paying specialties.

3. What engineering jobs pay 200k a year?

While many engineering jobs can offer competitive salaries, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer ranges from $157,500 to $184,700. Positions like Software Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Data Engineer may approach or exceed $200k, especially with experience and specialized skills. Consider roles in high-demand sectors for better compensation.

4. Which engineer has more demand in USA?

While software engineering is highly in demand, hardware design engineers also play a crucial role in technology development. In the USA, hardware design engineers can expect salaries ranging from $157,500 to $184,700, with a median salary of $170,800. This reflects the growing need for skilled professionals in both hardware and software engineering fields.

5. What is the best company for hardware engineers?

The best companies for hardware engineers in 2024 include Qualcomm and Intel. For top salaries, consider Meta, which offers a median salary of $170,800, or Apple, with a median salary of $157,500. The salary range for hardware design engineers typically spans from $157,500 to $184,700, making these companies competitive in the industry.

6. What is the highest salary for a hardware engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware Design Engineer is $184,700. The minimum salary is $157,500, while the mid-range salary is $170,800. This data reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the potential for significant earnings based on experience and expertise.

7. What is highest salary for design engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware Design Engineer is approximately $184,700 per year. The average starting salary is around $157,500, with a mid-range salary of $170,800. Typically, a minimum of one year of experience is required to qualify for this role.

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.)

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