Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Computer Hardware Engineers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $170,570 a year, or about $82.01 an hour. The range runs from $118K at the entry level to $219K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $157,541 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,941/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $171K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About computer hardware engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $118K. Mid-career wages sit at $171K.Top earners bring in $219K or more - a $102K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $189K | +22% | 480 |
| California | $180K | +16% | 24,200 |
| Washington | $174K | +12% | 1,370 |
| Massachusetts | $171K | +10% | 3,350 |
| Arizona | $163K | +5% | 3,390 |
| Hawaii | $155K | +0% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $154K | -1% | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $153K | -1% | 290 |
| New York | $142K | -9% | 2,500 |
| Montana | $142K | -9% | 50 |
| Virginia | $140K | -10% | 1,840 |
| Maryland | $138K | -11% | 2,420 |
| Alabama | $137K | -12% | 800 |
| Alaska | $136K | -12% | 40 |
| Texas | $133K | -14% | 3,380 |
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $170,570 a year - that works out to about $82.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $117,890, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $219,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $171K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,901/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer hardware engineers salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer hardware engineers salary is worth about $157,541 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer hardware engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.