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Hardware Development Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer IV in the United States is $138,813 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,454
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,213 to $145,953
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,383
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hardware Development Engineer IV Salaries

A Hardware Development Engineer IV'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 IV'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 II (2-4 years): $98,561
  • Hardware Design Engineer III (4-7 years): $119,346
  • Hardware Development Engineer IV (7+ years): $138,794
  • Hardware Design Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,833
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,805
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer II2-4 years$98,561
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$119,346
Hardware Development Engineer IV7+ years$138,794
Hardware Design Engineer V7-10 years$163,833
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,805
View as Graph

How Do Hardware Development Engineer IV 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $153,693.
  • California: $153,103.
  • Massachusetts: $151,063.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Development Engineer IVs

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: $175,083
  • San Francisco: $173,163
  • Oakland: $169,513

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.46% 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 3.83% 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 2.22% 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 7.46%
Circuit Design 3.83%
Hardware Development 2.22%
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 IV's salary.

  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors $162,411
17%
Python $159,635
15%
Product Design $158,247
14%
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Hardware Development Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Development Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $154,970. While startup companies pay approximate $131,220.

Hardware Development Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $131,220
Growth Stage 51~500 $138,749
Established 501~5000 $149,636
Enterprise 5000+ $154,970

Hardware Development Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Development Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Development Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Development Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Development Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$163,799$79.018%
Financial Services$163,799$79.018%
Pharmaceuticals$163,799$79.018%
Software & Networking$163,799$79.018%
Internet$158,247$76.014%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Development Engineer IVs 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 IV with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $136,333 and $142,762).

Hardware Development Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Development Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 46.7%
Doctorate 13.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Hardware Development Engineer IV'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
$130,213
Average $138,813/year
$145,953
$10,851
Average $11,568/month
$12,163
$2,504
Average $2,669/week
$2,807
$63
Average $67/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,953 $12,163 $2,807 $70
Average $138,813 $11,568 $2,669 $67
25th Percentile $130,213 $10,851 $2,504 $63

Hardware Development Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Development Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Hardware Development Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hardware Design Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $163,900 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Hardware Development Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Hardware Development Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Hardware Development Engineer IV

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Development Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. Which developer has highest salary in US?

Hardware Development Engineers in the US have a salary range of approximately $132,143 to $154,893, with a mid-salary of $143,653. This role is crucial in designing and developing hardware components, and the demand for skilled engineers in this field continues to grow as technology advances.

3. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA include Hardware Development Engineers, with salaries ranging from $132,143 to $154,893. The average salary for this role is approximately $143,653. Other top-paying engineering fields include Computer Engineering at $140,830 and IT Engineering at $132,930.

4. Which engineering has the highest salary?

The Hardware Development Engineer position offers competitive salaries, with a minimum of $132,143, a mid-range salary of $143,653, and a maximum salary of $154,893. This suggests that hardware engineering roles are among the higher-paying engineering positions, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

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

The highest salary for a Hardware Development Engineer is $154,893. The minimum salary starts at $132,143, while the mid-range salary is approximately $143,653. This salary range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.

6. Are hardware engineers in high demand?

Yes, hardware engineers are in high demand, with competitive salaries reflecting this trend. The minimum salary is $132,143, the mid-range salary is $143,653, and the maximum salary can reach $154,893. This strong demand is expected to continue, making it a promising career choice.

7. Do hardware engineers make good money?

Yes, hardware engineers can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary for a Hardware Development Engineer is approximately $132,143, while the mid-range salary is around $143,653. For those with more experience or specialized skills, the maximum salary can reach up to $154,893, making it a lucrative career choice.

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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