Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Computer Hardware Engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC make a median of $129,200 a year, or about $62.12 an hour. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $222K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.16), that's roughly $131,622 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,750/month, or 21.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $129K get you in Raleigh-Cary?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Raleigh-Cary’s Regional Price Parity (98.16). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer hardware engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Raleigh-Cary, NC
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K. Top earners bring in $222K or more, a $151K 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 |
| Delaware | $132K | -15% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $132K | -15% | 940 |
| North Carolina | $132K | -15% | 1,250 |
| New Jersey | $132K | -15% | 690 |
| Minnesota | $131K | -16% | 560 |
| Idaho | $128K | -18% | 820 |
| Nebraska | $126K | -19% | 90 |
| Florida | $126K | -19% | 2,890 |
| Ohio | $125K | -19% | 790 |
| Arkansas | $123K | -21% | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $120K | -23% | 460 |
| South Carolina | $119K | -23% | 510 |
| Michigan | $114K | -27% | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma | $113K | -27% | 120 |
| Iowa | $111K | -28% | 200 |
| Georgia | $109K | -30% | 520 |
| Illinois | $108K | -31% | 1,500 |
| Utah | $104K | -33% | 430 |
| Nevada | $103K | -34% | 120 |
| Kansas | $102K | -34% | 190 |
| Missouri | $101K | -35% | 580 |
| Tennessee | $100K | -35% | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $98K | -37% | 500 |
| Indiana | $95K | -39% | 300 |
| Louisiana | $94K | -40% | 170 |
| Kentucky | $89K | -43% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $76K | -51% | 180 |
| North Dakota | $73K | -53% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 43 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Raleigh-Cary numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median is $129,200 a year, that works out to about $62 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,170, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $222,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Raleigh-Cary?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,771/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,750/month, which eats 22.5% 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 Raleigh-Cary?
Raleigh-Cary has a Regional Price Parity of 98.16 (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 $131,622 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.