Computer Hardware Engineers Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers in District of Columbia make a median of $163,360 a year, or about $78.54 an hour. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $150,037 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 22.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $163K get you in District of Columbia?
About computer hardware engineers
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Computer hardware engineers pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $163K locally vs. $162K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 23.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $111K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $159K | -2% | 1,790 |
Compare to other states
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer hardware engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $163K, rent takes 23.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer hardware engineers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer hardware engineers typically earn — is $101K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,041/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer hardware engineer a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $163K locally vs. $162K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for computer hardware engineers?
District of Columbia pays $163K median vs. the U.S. average of $162K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $150K — below the national median.
How much do computer hardware engineers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $163,360 a year, that works out to about $79 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,690, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $211,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,280/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 23.1% 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $150,037 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.