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Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Hardware Engineer make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Hardware Engineer in the United States is $98,570 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $111,007
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $92,270 to $105,080
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,534
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salaries

An Intermediate Hardware Engineer'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 Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Hardware Engineer'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): $84,460
  • Intermediate Hardware Engineer (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
Entry Hardware Engineer0-2 years$84,460
Intermediate Hardware Engineer2-4 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 Intermediate Hardware Engineer 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 Intermediate Hardware Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $109,130.
  • California: $108,720.
  • Massachusetts: $107,270.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Hardware Engineers

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: $124,320
  • San Francisco: $122,960
  • Oakland: $120,370

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Hardware Engineer'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 an Intermediate Hardware Engineer'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 $114,341
16%
Prototyping $108,427
10%
PCB Design $108,427
10%
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Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Hardware Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $110,043. While startup companies pay approximate $93,179.

Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $93,179
Growth Stage 51~500 $98,525
Established 501~5000 $106,255
Enterprise 5000+ $110,043

Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Hardware Engineer 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, Intermediate Hardware Engineer positions in MFG Nondurable or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Hardware Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Hardware Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$118,284$57.020%
Biotechnology$118,284$57.020%
Financial Services$118,284$57.020%
Pharmaceuticals$118,284$57.020%
Software & Networking$118,284$57.020%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Hardware Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Hardware Engineers 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 an Intermediate Hardware Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $92,447 and $96,454).

Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Hardware Engineer
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

Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate Hardware Engineer'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
$92,270
Average $98,570/year
$105,080
$7,689
Average $8,214/month
$8,757
$1,774
Average $1,896/week
$2,021
$44
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $105,080 $8,757 $2,021 $51
Average $98,570 $8,214 $1,896 $47
25th Percentile $92,270 $7,689 $1,774 $44

Intermediate Hardware Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Intermediate Hardware Engineer

Next Role

Advancement

For an Intermediate Hardware Engineer, 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 $119,400 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intermediate Hardware Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Hardware Engineer

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

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FAQ about Intermediate Hardware Engineer

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

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

2. What is the life of a hardware engineer?

A hardware engineer spends most of their time working on the physical components of computer systems. It is a highly stimulating yet demanding job that requires a strong understanding of technology and an innovative mindset. Salaries for intermediate hardware engineers range from $90,020 to $104,620, with a median salary of $97,110, reflecting the expertise and skills required in this field.

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

A good salary for an Intermediate Hardware Engineer in the USA ranges from $90,020 to $104,620 annually, with a mid-salary of $97,110. This is competitive compared to the average engineer salary of $101,752, indicating that Intermediate Hardware Engineers are well-compensated within the engineering field.

4. Which engineering is highest paid in the USA?

The highest-paid engineering jobs in the USA include Petroleum Engineers, who focus on oil and gas extraction, and Aerospace Engineers. For Intermediate Hardware Engineers, salaries range from $90,020 to $104,620, with a median of $97,110, reflecting the competitive nature of the field. Other high-paying roles include Nuclear and Chemical Engineers.

5. How much does a low code developer earn in USA?

An Intermediate Hardware Engineer in the USA typically earns between $90,020 and $104,620 annually, with a median salary of around $97,110. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.

6. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering roles in the USA include various specialties, with the Intermediate Hardware Engineer earning a median salary of approximately $97,110. This salary range spans from a minimum of $90,020 to a maximum of $104,620, reflecting the competitive nature of engineering positions in the industry.

7. Do hardware engineers code?

Hardware engineers may not primarily focus on coding, but they often need to write and understand code for hardware-software integration, firmware development, and testing. Their role typically involves designing, testing, and troubleshooting hardware components, with salaries ranging from $90,020 to $104,620, depending on experience 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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