California ranks 2nd of 44 states and D.C. for computer hardware engineers pay, trailing top-paying Connecticut ($188,540) by $8,660 — a 5% gap.
Computer Hardware Engineers are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 2.73 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.73× the national share.
California employs roughly 32.0% of all computer hardware engineers in the country (24,200 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $117,180 | $56.34 |
| 25th percentile | $142,160 | $68.35 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $179,880 | $86.48 |
| 75th percentile | $215,150 | $103.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $183,350 | $88.15 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $179,880 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $188,540 | +5% |
| Washington | $174,070 | -3% |
| Massachusetts | $170,570 | -5% |
| Arizona | $163,090 | -9% |
| Colorado | $162,920 | -9% |
| Hawaii | $155,390 | -14% |
| District of Columbia | $153,630 | -15% |
| New Hampshire | $152,840 | -15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Dentists, General | $178,540 | 14,760 |
| Marketing Managers | $178,160 | 56,300 |
| Financial Managers | $174,920 | 96,860 |
| Software Developers | $170,910 | 292,630 |
| Managers, All Other | $170,740 | 103,510 |
| Human Resources Managers | $169,140 | 27,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in California?
The mean computer hardware engineers salary in California is $183,350 per year. The median (middle) salary is $179,880 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Hardware Engineers in California?
Entry-level computer hardware engineerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $117,180 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $142,160 per year.
What is the highest Computer Hardware Engineers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $215,150 per year.
How does the California Computer Hardware Engineers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer hardware engineers salary in California is $179,880, which is +16% above national average of $155,020.