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Computer Hardware Engineers

General Information

Description

Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit87.02%
  2. Federal government4.27%
  3. Private, not for profit3.61%
  4. Self-employed2.71%
  5. State and local government2.38%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Job Outlook

Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings for computer hardware engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,300 openings for computer hardware engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$128,170

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$164,980
$62,990
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 48%
  • Master's degree 34%
  • Some college 6%
  • Doctoral degree 6%
  • First professional degree 3%
  • High school 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.