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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hardware Test Engineer in California is $124,705 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Hardware Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hardware Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $135,886 | $11,324 | $2,613 | $65 |
| Average | $124,705 | $10,392 | $2,398 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,701 | $9,642 | $2,225 | $56 |
Mill - San Bruno, CA
Chariot Defense - San Bruno, CA
SoloPoint Solutions - Belmont, CA
Ayar Labs - San Jose, CA
A Hardware Test 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 Test 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 Test Engineer | $89,366 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Test Engineer | $106,840 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Test Engineer | $123,883 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Test Engineer | $150,460 |
| Hardware ... Level Hardware Test Engineer | $177,610 |
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 Test 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 Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Hardware Test Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hardware Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $155,881 | $75.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $149,646 | $72.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $143,411 | $69.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $137,176 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $137,176 | $66.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Hardware Test 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 | $135,886 | $11,324 | $2,613 | $65 |
| Average | $124,705 | $10,392 | $2,398 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,701 | $9,642 | $2,225 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hardware Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TSMG
Mountain View, CA
TSMG | Mountain View, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Our client is looking for a hands-on, detailed-oriented Hardware Test Engineer to support product manufacturing and testi... more
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DensityAI
Mountain View, CA
DensityAI | Mountain View, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About the role. Own the test that proves our AI accelerator hardware works — from the packaged units, to the boards they ... more
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Nimble Robotics
San Francisco, CA
Nimble Robotics | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Nimble. Nimble is an AI robotics company building the autonomous supply chain to power fast, efficient and economic... more
3 Days Ago
Western Magnetics
South San Francisco, CA
Western Magnetics | South San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Westmag. Westmag is the American manufacturer of drone motors and robot actuators, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, F... more
3 Days Ago
Impulse Space
Redondo Beach, CA
Impulse Space | Redondo Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. As a. Test Hardware Engineer at Impulse. you will design, build, deploy, and support the common electrical t... more
3 Days Ago
Zipline
South San Francisco, CA
Zipline | South San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Zipline. Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve a... more
3 Days Ago
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