Computer Hardware Engineers Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers in Massachusetts make a median of $167,600 a year, or about $80.58 an hour. The range runs from $118K at the entry level to $259K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $167,449 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,347/month, or 23.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $168K get you in Massachusetts?
About computer hardware engineers
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Computer hardware engineers pay in Massachusetts tracks closely to the national median, $168K locally vs. $162K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,347/month, 24.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $118K. Mid-career wages sit at $168K. Top earners bring in $259K or more, a $140K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers salary by metro in Massachusetts
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $168K | +0% | 2,840 |
| Worcester | $143K | -15% | 140 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer hardware engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
Yes — at the median salary of $168K, rent takes 24.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer hardware engineers in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer hardware engineers typically earn — is $118K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,109/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 33% 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 Massachusetts?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $168K locally vs. $162K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for computer hardware engineers?
Massachusetts pays $168K median vs. the U.S. average of $162K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $167K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Massachusetts?
The median is $167,600 a year, that works out to about $81 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $118,490, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $258,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $168K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,744/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 24.1% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $167,449 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.