Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer I in the United States is $84,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,481
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,090 to $91,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,353
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hardware Development Engineer I Salaries

A Hardware Development 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 Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Development 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 Development 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 Development 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 Development 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 Development Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $93,590.
  • California: $93,190.
  • Massachusetts: $91,990.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Development 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: $106,590
  • San Francisco: $105,390
  • Oakland: $103,190

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Development 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 Development 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 $98,853
17%
Team Development $94,629
12%
Leadership $93,784
11%
Get Latest Data

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Development Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,324. While startup companies pay approximate $79,869.

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,869
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,451
Established 501~5000 $91,078
Enterprise 5000+ $94,324

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Development 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 Development Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Development Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Development Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$101,388$49.020%
Financial Services$99,698$48.018%
Business Services$92,939$45.010%
Healthcare$92,939$45.010%
Pharmaceuticals$92,939$45.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Development 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 Development Engineer I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,594 and $77,854).

Hardware Development Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Development 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%
View as Graph

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Development 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 $84,490/year
$91,290
$6,424
Average $7,041/month
$7,608
$1,483
Average $1,625/week
$1,756
$37
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,290 $7,608 $1,756 $44
Average $84,490 $7,041 $1,625 $41
25th Percentile $77,090 $6,424 $1,483 $37

Hardware Development Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Development Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Hardware Development 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 Development Engineer I

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

Common company salaries for Hardware Development Engineer I

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

Find Your Next Hardware Development Engineer I Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Hardware Development Engineer I

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Development 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, essential skills include strong analytical abilities to evaluate digital circuits, critical-thinking skills for effective design solutions, problem-solving skills to address technical challenges, and communication skills to collaborate with team members. The salary range for this role typically falls between $73,990 and $84,990, with a mid-salary of $79,590.

3. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While CEO positions are often considered the highest paying jobs globally, specialized roles like Hardware Development Engineer also offer competitive salaries. The salary range for this position typically spans from $73,990 to $84,990, with a mid-salary of $79,590. These engineers play a crucial role in designing and developing hardware systems, making their expertise highly valuable.

4. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for a Hardware Development Engineer in the USA typically ranges from $73,990 to $84,990 annually, with a mid-salary of around $79,590. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field, providing a competitive compensation for skilled engineers.

5. Which engineering is highest paid in the USA?

Among engineering roles, Hardware Development Engineers earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $73,990, a mid-range of $79,590, and a maximum of $84,990. While various engineering fields offer high pay, Hardware Development Engineers are well-compensated, reflecting the demand for their expertise in technology and innovation.

6. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer lucrative salaries, Hardware Development Engineers have a salary range of $73,990 to $84,990, with a mid-salary of $79,590. Although this is competitive, it is lower than some of the highest-paying engineering careers like Petroleum and Aerospace Engineers, who earn significantly more.

7. What is the highest salary for a software engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware Development Engineer ranges from $73,990 to $84,990, with a mid-salary of $79,590. This reflects the competitive pay structure in the industry, ensuring that skilled professionals are adequately compensated for their expertise and contributions.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst