As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Design Engineer in California is $92,427 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Hardware Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hardware Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $99,927 | $8,327 | $1,922 | $48 |
| Average | $92,427 | $7,702 | $1,777 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,569 | $7,047 | $1,626 | $41 |
Walt Disney Imagineering - Glendale, CA
Walt Disney Imagineering - Glendale, CA
Raytheon - Textile Finance, CA
Experis - Rocklin, CA
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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer | $91,876 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer | $109,839 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer | $127,361 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer | $154,686 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Design Engineer | $182,604 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $110,913 | $53.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $109,064 | $52.0 | 18% |
| Business Services | $101,670 | $49.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $101,670 | $49.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $101,670 | $49.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,927 | $8,327 | $1,922 | $48 |
| Average | $92,427 | $7,702 | $1,777 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,569 | $7,047 | $1,626 | $41 |
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.
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