Computer Hardware Engineers Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers in Missouri make a median of $103,980 a year, or about $49.99 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $150K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $116,871 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 16.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $104K get you in Missouri?
About computer hardware engineers
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What this looks like in Missouri
Pay for computer hardware engineers in Missouri runs about 36% below the U.S. median of $162K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 17% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Missouri can be a reasonable trade-off for computer hardware engineerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K. Top earners bring in $150K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers salary by metro in Missouri
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $112K | +8% | 540 |
| Kansas City | $108K | +4% | 310 |
| Springfield | $102K | -2% | N/A |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer hardware engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $104K, rent takes 17% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer hardware engineers in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer hardware engineers typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,677/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer hardware engineer a high-paying job in Missouri?
Local pay runs 36% below the national median — $104K here vs. $162K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for computer hardware engineers?
Missouri pays $104K median vs. the U.S. average of $162K — that’s -36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $117K — below the national median.
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Missouri?
The median is $103,980 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,290, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $150,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,446/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 17% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer hardware engineers salary is worth about $116,871 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.