What are the main factors that influence a Hardware Development Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Hardware Development Engineer's salary?

A Hardware Development Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $108,677 for beginners, reaching about $111,550 at mid-level, and approach $114,843 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Hardware Development Engineer?

Hardware Development Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Hardware Development Engineer roles are District of Columbia $111,550, California $111,127, Massachusetts $109,646. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Hardware Development Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Hardware Development Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Hardware Development Engineer VI: $195,900; Hardware Engineer VI: $195,836; Hardware Development Engineer V: $163,890; Hardware Development Engineer IV: $138,823; Senior Hardware Development Engineer: $134,420.

Hardware Development Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Hardware Development Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Development Engineer in District of Columbia is $111,550 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,811
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,556 to $119,015
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,188

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Hardware Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$119,015	$9,918	$2,289	$57
Average	$111,550	$9,296	$2,145	$54
25th Percentile	$104,556	$8,713	$2,011	$50

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Hardware Development Engineer Salaries

A Hardware Development 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.

How Experience Level Affects Hardware Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hardware Development 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): $108,677
Early Career (1-2 years): $108,888
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,550
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $114,624
Expert (over 8 years): $114,843

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Hardware Development Engineer	$108,677
Intermediate Level Hardware Development Engineer	$108,888
Senior Level Hardware Development Engineer	$111,550
Specialist Level Hardware Development Engineer	$114,624
Expert Level Hardware Development Engineer	$114,843

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Hardware Development 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 Hardware Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $111,550.
California: $111,127.
Massachusetts: $109,646.

District of Columbia $111,550 California $111,127 Massachusetts $109,646 Washington $109,243 New Jersey $109,203 Alaska $109,062 Connecticut $107,672 New York $107,107

Hawaii $105,304 Rhode Island $104,458 Maryland $103,883 Minnesota $103,097 Colorado $102,795 Illinois $102,694 Oregon $102,312 Delaware $102,030

New Hampshire $101,852 Virginia $101,455 Pennsylvania $100,297 Nevada $99,712 North Dakota $99,521 Michigan $99,219 Wisconsin $99,108 Vermont $98,886

Texas $98,272 Maine $98,231 Arizona $98,171 Ohio $98,100 Georgia $97,173 Indiana $96,710 Wyoming $96,619 Utah $96,478

Iowa $96,418 Kansas $95,934 Louisiana $95,793 North Carolina $95,743 Missouri $95,723 Florida $95,330 Montana $95,118 Nebraska $94,917

Kentucky $94,806 South Carolina $94,403 Tennessee $94,151 Idaho $94,050 New Mexico $93,315 Oklahoma $93,153 Alabama $92,559 South Dakota $91,562

Arkansas $91,018 West Virginia $90,725 Mississippi $89,849

Top Paying Cities for Hardware Development 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:

Parcel Return Service: $111,550
Washington: $111,550
Naval Anacost Annex: $111,550

Parcel Return Service, DC $111,550 Washington, DC $111,550 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $111,550 Washington Navy Yard, DC $111,550

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

Understanding how a Hardware Development 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 January 01, 2026

$104,556

Average $111,550/year

$119,015

$8,713

Average $9,296/month

$9,918

$2,011

Average $2,145/week

$2,289

$50

Average $54/hour

$57

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$119,015	$9,918	$2,289	$57
Average	$111,550	$9,296	$2,145	$54
25th Percentile	$104,556	$8,713	$2,011	$50

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