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Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Hardware Development Engineer in the United States is $134,411 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,091
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,420 to $141,048
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,234
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $125,420 10% $117,234 90% $147,091 75% $141,048 $134,411 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $141,048 $11,754 $2,712 $68
Average $134,411 $11,201 $2,585 $65
25th Percentile $125,420 $10,452 $2,412 $60
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Key Factors That Influence Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salaries

A Senior 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior 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): $95,887
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $111,183
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $135,036
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,403
  • Expert (over 8 years): $190,505
Levels Salary
Hardware ... Level Senior Hardware Development Engineer$95,887
Hardware ... Level Senior Hardware Development Engineer$111,183
Senior Ha... Level Senior Hardware Development Engineer$135,036
Hardware ... Level Senior Hardware Development Engineer$159,403
Hardware ... Level Senior Hardware Development Engineer$190,505
$95,887 0 yr
$111,183 < 2 yrs
$135,036 2-4 yrs
$159,403 5-8 yrs
$190,505 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $148,820.
  • California: $148,255.
  • Massachusetts: $146,279.

Top Paying Cities for Senior 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:

  • San Jose: $169,533
  • San Francisco: $167,676
  • Oakland: $164,143

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Hardware Development Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.46% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Circuit Design (Mentioned in 3.83% 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.
  • Hardware Development (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Hardware development is a complex effort that includes the creation and optimization of electronics and mechanical system elements that perform various computational processes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.46%
Circuit Design 3.83%
Hardware Development 2.22%
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 Senior Hardware Development Engineer's salary.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Product Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Semiconductors
 $157,261
17%
Python
 $154,573
15%
Product Design
 $153,229
14%
Integrity
 $149,196
11%
System Design
 $147,852
10%
PCB Design
 $147,852
10%
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Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Hardware Development Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Senior Hardware Development Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Hardware Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Hardware Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$158,605$76.018%
Financial Services$158,605$76.018%
Pharmaceuticals$158,605$76.018%
Software & Networking$158,605$76.018%
Internet$153,229$74.014%

How Education impacts a Senior Hardware Development Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Hardware Development 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 Senior Hardware Development Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $136,972 and $143,435).

Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Hardware Development Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 2.9%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 36.2%
Masters 46.7%
Doctorate 13.3%
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Senior Hardware Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$125,420
Average $134,411/year
$141,048
$10,452
Average $11,201/month
$11,754
$2,412
Average $2,585/week
$2,712
$60
Average $65/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $141,048 $11,754 $2,712 $68
Average $134,411 $11,201 $2,585 $65
25th Percentile $125,420 $10,452 $2,412 $60

Salaries of jobs related to Senior Hardware Development Engineer

Salary Trends for Senior Hardware Development Engineer

Salaries for a Senior Hardware Development Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,976 in 2023 to around $129,266 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Hardware Development Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Hardware Development Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$130,976
2024
$130,665
2025
$129,266
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $130,976
2024 $130,665
2025 $129,266
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Hardware Development Engineer

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

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

Find Your Next Senior Hardware Development Engineer Job

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

United States

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    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

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  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Senior Hardware Development Engineer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Hardware Development Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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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