Director Of Hardware Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a Director Of Hardware Engineering make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director Of Hardware Engineering in the United States is $232,596 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $112.

However, a Director Of Hardware Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $263,289
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $217,465 to $248,662
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $203,689
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View as table View as graph 25% $217,465 10% $203,689 90% $263,289 75% $248,662 $232,596 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director Of Hardware Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $248,662 $20,722 $4,782 $120
Average $232,596 $19,383 $4,473 $112
25th Percentile $217,465 $18,122 $4,182 $105

Key Factors That Influence Director Of Hardware Engineering Salaries

A Director Of Hardware Engineering'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 Director Of Hardware Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director Of Hardware Engineering'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): $126,186
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $161,369
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $189,980
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $233,647
  • Expert (over 8 years): $292,469
Levels Salary
Hardware ... Level Director Of Hardware Engineering$126,186
Hardware ... Level Director Of Hardware Engineering$161,369
Hardware ... Level Director Of Hardware Engineering$189,980
Director ... Level Director Of Hardware Engineering$233,647
Hardware ... Level Director Of Hardware Engineering$292,469
$126,186 0 yr
$161,369 < 2 yrs
$189,980 2-4 yrs
$233,647 5-8 yrs
$292,469 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director Of Hardware Engineering 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 Director Of Hardware Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $257,530.
  • California: $256,553.
  • Massachusetts: $253,134.

Top Paying Cities for Director Of Hardware Engineerings

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: $293,373
  • San Francisco: $290,161
  • Oakland: $284,046

What Skills Can Increase a Director Of Hardware Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
  • Project Planning (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Project planning is part of project management, which relates to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts to plan and subsequently report progress within the project environment. Project planning can be done manually or by the use of project management software.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.45%
Logistics 3.45%
Project Planning 3.45%
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 Director Of Hardware Engineering's salary.
  • Computer Vision: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Vision
$274,463
18%
Supply Chain
$244,226
5%
Continuous Improvement
$244,226
5%
Industrial Design
$244,226
5%
Coordination
$237,248
2%
Mechanical Engineering
$237,248
2%
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Director Of Hardware Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director Of Hardware Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Director Of Hardware Engineering positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director Of Hardware Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director Of Hardware Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$302,375$145.030%
Biotechnology$290,745$140.025%
Internet$279,115$134.020%
Financial Services$267,485$129.015%
Insurance$267,485$129.015%

Director Of Hardware Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director Of Hardware Engineering'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Director Of Hardware Engineering

Salaries for a Director Of Hardware Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $191,683 in 2023 to around $189,717 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director Of Hardware Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director Of Hardware Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$191,683
2024
$193,068
2025
$189,717
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $191,683
2024 $193,068
2025 $189,717
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director Of Hardware Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Director Of Hardware Engineering

Here are companies hiring for Director Of Hardware Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Director Of Hardware Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director Of Hardware Engineering?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Director Of Hardware Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

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