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Hardware Development Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer III in the United States is $114,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $133,777
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,990 to $124,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,433
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hardware Development Engineer III Salaries

A Hardware Development Engineer III'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 III'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 Design Engineer II (2-4 years): $98,560
  • Hardware Development 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 Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,560
Hardware Development 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 III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,590.
  • California: $126,090.
  • Massachusetts: $124,390.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Development Engineer IIIs

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: $144,190
  • San Francisco: $142,590
  • Oakland: $139,590

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.53% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • Debugging (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Debugging is the process of finding and resolving defects or problems within a computer program that prevent correct operation of computer software or a system. Debugging tactics can involve interactive debugging, control flow analysis, unit testing, integration testing, log file analysis, monitoring at the application or system level, memory dumps, and profiling.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.53%
Python 2.84%
Debugging 1.77%
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 III's salary.

  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Python $121,147
6%
Insight $120,005
5%
Integrity $120,005
5%
Get Latest Data

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

Hardware Development Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,724. While startup companies pay approximate $108,041.

Hardware Development Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,041
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,265
Established 501~5000 $123,334
Enterprise 5000+ $127,724

Hardware Development Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Development Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Development Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Development Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Development Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$142,862$69.025%
Energy & Utilities$137,148$66.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$131,434$63.015%
Biotechnology$125,719$60.010%
Healthcare$125,719$60.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Development Engineer IIIs 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 III with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $111,157 and $116,299).

Hardware Development Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Development Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.8%
High School 2.8%
Associates 1.9%
Bachelors 28.0%
Masters 57.9%
Doctorate 9.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Hardware Development Engineer III'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
$105,990
Average $114,290/year
$124,490
$8,833
Average $9,524/month
$10,374
$2,038
Average $2,198/week
$2,394
$51
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $124,490 $10,374 $2,394 $60
Average $114,290 $9,524 $2,198 $55
25th Percentile $105,990 $8,833 $2,038 $51

Hardware Development Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Development Engineer III

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Advancement

For a Hardware Development Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $138,800 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware Development Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Hardware Development Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Hardware Development Engineer III

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

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Development Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of Hardware Engineer in Apple?

The salary of a Hardware Development Engineer at Apple ranges from approximately $107,990 to $126,690 per year, with a mid-salary of around $116,990. These figures reflect the compensation for engineers with varying levels of experience, providing a competitive salary structure within the industry.

3. Are hardware engineers in high demand?

The demand for computer hardware engineers is higher than many other careers in the US. With salaries ranging from $107,990 to $126,690, this field offers competitive compensation, reflecting the growing need for skilled professionals in hardware development. As technology advances, opportunities in this sector are expected to continue rising.

4. What is the salary of SDE 3 in Amazon?

The salary of a Hardware Development Engineer at Amazon ranges from $107,990 to $126,690, with a midpoint of $116,990. This reflects the compensation for professionals in this role, typically with varying levels of experience and expertise.

5. How much does a hardware engineer make in the US?

The salary range for a Hardware Development Engineer in the US is approximately $107,990 to $126,690, with a mid-salary of around $116,990. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, aligning with the specialized skills and expertise required for the role.

6. What is the salary of SDE 3 in USA?

As of the latest data, the salary for a Hardware Development Engineer in the USA ranges from $107,990 to $126,690 annually, with a mid-point salary of $116,990. This translates to approximately $51.92 to $60.91 per hour, or $2,077 to $2,500 per week.

7. Which is bigger SDE 1 or SDE 3?

SDE-1 positions typically offer lower salaries compared to SDE-3 roles. For instance, a Hardware Development Engineer's salary ranges from $107,990 to $126,690, with a midpoint of $116,990. This indicates that as engineers progress in their careers, their compensation increases significantly, reflecting their growing responsibilities and expertise.

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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