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Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant in the United States is $163,850 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

However, a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $179,592
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $155,230 to $172,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $147,382
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View as table View as graph 25% $155,230 10% $147,382 90% $179,592 75% $172,090 $163,850 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $172,090 $14,341 $3,309 $83
Average $163,850 $13,654 $3,151 $79
25th Percentile $155,230 $12,936 $2,985 $75
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Key Factors That Influence Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries

A Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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 Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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): $114,279
  • Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist (7+ years): $138,798
  • Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $163,848
  • Hardware Development Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,815
  • Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $127,809
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Hardware Design Engineer III4-7 years$114,279
Hardware Design Engineer - Specialist7+ years$138,798
Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$163,848
Hardware Development Engineer VI10-12 years$195,815
Hardware Design Engineering Supervisor12+ years$127,809
$114,279 Hardware ...
$138,798 Hardware ...
$163,848 Hardware ...
$195,815 Hardware ...
$127,809 Hardware ...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant 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 Engineer - Expert/Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $181,420.
  • California: $180,730.
  • Massachusetts: $178,320.

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultants

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: $206,670
  • San Francisco: $204,400
  • Oakland: $200,100

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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.
See More Skills
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 Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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
 $186,789
14%
Presentation
 $181,874
11%
Prototyping
 $178,597
9%
Building Relationships
 $176,958
8%
Commitment
 $175,320
7%
Ethernet
 $175,320
7%
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Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $183,265. While startup companies pay approximate $154,987.

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$154,987
Growth Stage51~500$163,923
Established501~5000$176,977
Enterprise5000+$183,265

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant 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 Engineer - Expert/Consultant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$196,620$95.020%
Software & Networking$196,620$95.020%
Energy & Utilities$188,427$91.015%
Chemicals$180,235$87.010%
Insurance$180,235$87.010%

How Education impacts a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultants 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 Engineer - Expert/Consultant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $160,087 and $167,695).

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant
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%
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Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$155,230
Average $163,850/year
$172,090
$12,936
Average $13,654/month
$14,341
$2,985
Average $3,151/week
$3,309
$75
Average $79/hour
$83
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $172,090 $14,341 $3,309 $83
Average $163,850 $13,654 $3,151 $79
25th Percentile $155,230 $12,936 $2,985 $75

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary Growth & Career Path

Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant
Hardware Development Engineer VI
Hardware Design Engineering Director

For a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant, 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.

Salaries of jobs related to Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Salary Trends for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Salaries for a Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $159,096 in 2023 to around $152,746 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$159,096
2024
$157,011
2025
$152,746
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $159,096
2024 $157,011
2025 $152,746
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

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FAQ about Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What engineer is the highest paid?

The highest paid engineering role is the Hardware Engineer - Expert/Consultant, with a salary range of $157,500 to $184,620. The average salary for this position is approximately $170,730, making it one of the top-paying engineering jobs in the industry.

3. What is the highest salary for a hardware design engineer?

The highest salary for a Hardware Design Engineer can reach ₹18.46 Lakhs per year (₹1.54 Lakhs per month). The salary range for this role typically starts at ₹15.75 Lakhs, with a mid-level salary around ₹17.07 Lakhs. Top-paying industries for Hardware Design Engineers in India include technology, telecommunications, and automotive sectors.

4. Are hardware engineers in high demand?

Yes, hardware engineers are in high demand, driven by the need for innovative designs in various sectors like automotive, medical devices, and consumer electronics. With salaries ranging from $157,500 to $184,620, this field offers competitive compensation, reflecting the expertise required to meet the growing technological needs.

5. How much does a hardware specialist make?

A hardware specialist can expect to earn between $157,500 and $184,620 annually, with a median salary of approximately $170,730. This reflects a significant increase compared to the average salary of $59,550 for general computer hardware specialists, highlighting the higher earning potential for expert or consultant-level positions in the field.

6. How much do hardware design engineers make in the US?

As of now, Hardware Design Engineers in the US earn between $157,500 and $184,620 annually, with a median salary of approximately $170,730. This translates to about $75.77 to $88.66 per hour, or $3,125 to $3,846 per week. The monthly earnings range from $13,125 to $16,666, reflecting the expertise and demand in this field.

7. What is the monthly income of a hardware engineer?

The monthly income of a Hardware Engineer can vary significantly. Based on salary data, the minimum salary is approximately ₹13.1 Lakhs per year (₹1.1 Lakhs per month), the mid-salary is around ₹17.1 Lakhs per year (₹1.4 Lakhs per month), and the maximum salary can reach ₹18.5 Lakhs per year (₹1.54 Lakhs per month).

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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