Computer Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer Engineer make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Engineer in the United States is $83,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,038
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,613 to $90,962
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,714
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View as table View as graph 25% $75,613 10% $68,714 90% $98,038 75% $90,962 $83,190 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Computer Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $90,962 $7,580 $1,749 $44
Average $83,190 $6,932 $1,600 $40
25th Percentile $75,613 $6,301 $1,454 $36
Check out Computer Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Computer Engineer with Security Clearance

Systems Technologies - HANOVER, MD

ENGINEER, COMPUTER I with Security Clearance

Chugach Government Solutions - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

Computer Engineer - Mid-level with Security Clearance

CACI - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

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Key Factors That Influence Computer Engineer Salaries

A Computer 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 Computer Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer 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-Level (less than 1 year): $82,618
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,144
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $121,533
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $144,709
  • Expert (over 8 years): $170,342
Levels Salary
Computer ... Level Computer Engineer$82,618
Electroni... Level Computer Engineer$100,144
Electroni... Level Computer Engineer$121,533
Electroni... Level Computer Engineer$144,709
Electroni... Level Computer Engineer$170,342
$82,618 0 yr
$100,144 < 2 yrs
$121,533 2-4 yrs
$144,709 5-8 yrs
$170,342 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Computer 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: $104,927
  • San Francisco: $103,896
  • Oakland: $101,592

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 14.14% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 4.48% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Electrical Engineering (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Electrical engineering is a technical discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identified activity in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of fields including, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and electronics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science. See glossary of electrical and electronics engineering.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 14.14%
Calibration 4.48%
Electrical Engineering 1.99%
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 Computer Engineer's salary.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Electronic Components: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility
$99,828
20%
Verbal Communication
$98,996
19%
Electronic Components
$98,164
18%
Analysis
$98,164
18%
Planning
$98,164
18%
Written Communication
$98,164
18%
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How Education impacts a Computer Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Computer Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,151 and $84,636).

Computer Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 3.6%
Associates 7.9%
Bachelors 63.6%
Masters 20.7%
Doctorate 2.9%
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Computer Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer 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 February 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Computer Engineer

Salaries for a Computer Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $92,555 in 2023 to around $89,715 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Computer Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Computer Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$92,555
2024
$91,375
2025
$89,715
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $92,555
2024 $91,375
2025 $89,715
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Computer Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Computer Engineer

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

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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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