North Carolina ranks 19th of 44 states and D.C. for computer hardware engineers pay, trailing top-paying Connecticut ($188,540) by $56,940 — a 43% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $66,590 to $227,720 — a $161,130 spread, 16% wider than the national $138,390 range.
Computer Hardware Engineers are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.52 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.92× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $66,590 | $32.02 |
| 25th percentile | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| 75th percentile | $169,880 | $81.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,720 | $109.48 |
| Mean (average) | $137,020 | $65.88 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $131,600 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $188,540 | +43% |
| California | $179,880 | +37% |
| Washington | $174,070 | +32% |
| Massachusetts | $170,570 | +30% |
| Arizona | $163,090 | +24% |
| Colorado | $162,920 | +24% |
| Hawaii | $155,390 | +18% |
| District of Columbia | $153,630 | +17% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $131,990 | 21,150 |
| Software Developers | $131,000 | 57,590 |
| Database Architects | $130,560 | 4,060 |
| Purchasing Managers | $130,170 | 2,680 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,110 | 10,530 |
| Human Resources Managers | $134,170 | 6,520 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Hardware Engineers salary in North Carolina?
The mean computer hardware engineers salary in North Carolina is $137,020 per year. The median (middle) salary is $131,600 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Hardware Engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level computer hardware engineerss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $66,590 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $73,930 per year.
What is the highest Computer Hardware Engineers salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $227,720 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $169,880 per year.
How does the North Carolina Computer Hardware Engineers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer hardware engineers salary in North Carolina is $131,600, which is -15% below national average of $155,020.