Computer Hardware Engineers Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers in New Jersey make a median of $142,880 a year, or about $68.69 an hour. The range runs from $88K at the entry level to $211K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $143,829 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 24.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Jersey. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $143K get you in New Jersey?
About computer hardware engineers
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What this looks like in New Jersey
Pay for computer hardware engineers in New Jersey runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $162K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,067/month, 24.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, New Jersey can be a reasonable trade-off for computer hardware engineerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $88K. Mid-career wages sit at $143K. Top earners bring in $211K or more, a $123K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer hardware engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $143K, rent takes 24.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer hardware engineers in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer hardware engineers typically earn — is $88K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,252/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 New Jersey?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $143K here vs. $162K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for computer hardware engineers?
New Jersey pays $143K median vs. the U.S. average of $162K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $144K — below the national median.
How much do computer hardware engineers make in New Jersey?
The median is $142,880 a year, that works out to about $69 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $87,540, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $210,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $143K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,453/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 24.5% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (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 $143,829 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.