Hardware Design Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer in the United States is $83,796 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,789
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,675 to $90,597
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,191
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View as table View as graph 25% $76,675 10% $70,191 90% $96,789 75% $90,597 $83,796 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hardware Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $90,597 $7,550 $1,742 $44
Average $83,796 $6,983 $1,611 $40
25th Percentile $76,675 $6,390 $1,475 $37
Check out Hardware Design Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

giftHEALTH Inc - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer

ISAT Total Support - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer - ADAS

Goken - Columbus, OH

Design Engineer - Automotive Chassis Systems

Goken - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Hardware Design Engineer Salaries

A Hardware Design 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 Hardware Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Design 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): $83,296
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $99,583
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,469
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,240
  • Expert (over 8 years): $165,547
Levels Salary
Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer$83,296
Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer$99,583
Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer$115,469
Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer$140,240
Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer$165,547
$83,296 0 yr
$99,583 < 2 yrs
$115,469 2-4 yrs
$140,240 5-8 yrs
$165,547 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Design 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: $105,692
  • San Francisco: $104,535
  • Oakland: $102,332

What Skills Can Increase a Hardware Design Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hardware Design (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): Hardware design may be viewed as algorithm, which considers all of the systems present and foreseeable requirements and arranges the necessary hardware components into a workable set of cleanly bounded subsystems with no more parts than are required.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 1.82% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.61%
Hardware Design 2.88%
Circuit Design 1.82%
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 Design Engineer's salary.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making
$98,042
17%
Team Development
$93,852
12%
Leadership
$93,014
11%
Algorithms
$93,014
11%
Networking
$92,176
10%
Hardware Development
$92,176
10%
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Hardware Design Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hardware Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Design Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Hardware Design Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$100,556$48.020%
Financial Services$98,880$48.018%
Business Services$92,176$44.010%
Healthcare$92,176$44.010%
Pharmaceuticals$92,176$44.010%

How Education impacts a Hardware Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hardware Design 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 a Hardware Design Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $74,925 and $78,169).

Hardware Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hardware Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.1%
High School 4.1%
Associates 8.1%
Bachelors 55.8%
Masters 27.4%
Doctorate 4.1%
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Hardware Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hardware Design 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Hardware Design Engineer

Salaries for a Hardware Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $80,217 in 2023 to around $78,580 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hardware Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hardware Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$80,217
2024
$79,544
2025
$78,580
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $80,217
2024 $79,544
2025 $78,580
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hardware Design Engineer

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

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

Find Your Next Hardware Design Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hardware Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • The Misch Group

    Columbus, OH

    The Misch Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking a full-time electrical engineer or electrical designer with at least 3 years of experience to... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Pop-Up Talent

    Columbus, OH

    Pop-Up Talent | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Electrical Design/Controls Engineer – Experienced. Gahanna, OH 43230. MJ Engineering & Consulting, Inc. is a full-service... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Inner Circle Agency Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Inner Circle Agency Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Switchgear Design Engineer (UL891). Job Location. Charleston, SC / North Charleston, SC. In-Office, Hybrid or ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    5 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    5 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    11 Days Ago

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FAQ about Hardware Design Engineer

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Hardware Design Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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