Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Computer Hardware Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $172,920 a year, or about $83.14 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $132K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $149,572 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 35.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $173K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About computer hardware engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $132K. Mid-career wages sit at $173K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
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 |
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $172,920 a year - that works out to about $83.14 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $131,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $173K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,727/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer hardware engineers salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $149,572 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.