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Hardware Development Engineer II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer II in the United States is $98,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,008
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $92,290 to $105,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,554
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hardware Development Engineer II Salaries

A Hardware Development Engineer II'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 II'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:

  • Entry Hardware Engineer (0-2 years): $82,439
  • Hardware Development Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,560
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $114,281
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,795
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,838
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Hardware Engineer0-2 years$82,439
Hardware Development Engineer II2-4 years$98,560
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,281
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,795
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,838
View as Graph

How Do Hardware Development Engineer II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,190.
  • California: $108,790.
  • Massachusetts: $107,290.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Development Engineer IIs

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: $124,390
  • San Francisco: $122,990
  • Oakland: $120,390

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Development Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.57% 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 3.89% 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 2.25% 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 7.57%
Circuit Design 3.89%
Hardware Development 2.25%
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 II's salary.

  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • PCB Design: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hard Working $114,364
16%
Prototyping $108,449
10%
PCB Design $108,449
10%
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Hardware Development Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Development Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $110,178. While startup companies pay approximate $93,200.

Hardware Development Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $93,200
Growth Stage 51~500 $98,568
Established 501~5000 $106,391
Enterprise 5000+ $110,178

Hardware Development Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Development Engineer II 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 Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Development Engineer positions in MFG Nondurable or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Development Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Development Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$118,308$57.020%
Biotechnology$118,308$57.020%
Financial Services$118,308$57.020%
Pharmaceuticals$118,308$57.020%
Software & Networking$118,308$57.020%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Development Engineer IIs 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 II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $92,442 and $96,450).

Hardware Development Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Development Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.5%
High School 2.5%
Associates 5.8%
Bachelors 28.3%
Masters 59.2%
Doctorate 4.2%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Hardware Development Engineer II'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 September 01, 2026
$92,290
Average $98,590/year
$105,090
$7,691
Average $8,216/month
$8,758
$1,775
Average $1,896/week
$2,021
$44
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $105,090 $8,758 $2,021 $51
Average $98,590 $8,216 $1,896 $47
25th Percentile $92,290 $7,691 $1,775 $44

Hardware Development Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Development Engineer II

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Advancement

For a Hardware Development Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,300 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware Development Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Hardware Development Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Hardware Development Engineer II

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Development Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does a development engineer earn in USA?

The estimated salary for a Hardware Development Engineer in the USA ranges from $90,090 to $104,690 per year, with a mid-salary of $97,190. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear overview of the compensation landscape in the industry.

3. Are hardware engineers in demand?

Hardware engineers are indeed in demand, driven by the need for innovative designs in various sectors like automotive, medical devices, and consumer electronics. With salaries ranging from $90,090 to $104,690, this field offers competitive compensation, reflecting the growing importance of hardware development in today's technology-driven world.

4. What is the best company for hardware engineers?

The best companies for hardware engineers in 2024 include Qualcomm and Intel. For competitive salaries, consider companies like Meta, which offers a median salary of $153,814, and Apple with a median salary of $144,233. In comparison, the salary range for hardware development engineers typically falls between $90,090 and $104,690, with a mid-salary of $97,190.

5. How much does a hardware engineer make at HP?

A Hardware Development Engineer typically earns between $90,090 and $104,690, with a median salary of $97,190. While HP's salaries for hardware engineers vary, entry-level positions start around $84.9K, and more experienced roles can exceed $115K, reflecting the diverse range of expertise and responsibilities in the field.

6. How much does a software development engineer II make at Amazon?

The average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer is approximately $97,190 per year, with a range from $90,090 to $104,690. This reflects the typical compensation for this role, which can vary based on experience, location, and specific employer.

7. How much does a hardware development engineer II make at Amazon?

The estimated salary range for a Hardware Development Engineer II at Amazon is between $90,090 and $104,690 per year, based on the provided salary data. This range reflects the base salary without including additional compensation.

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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