Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Computer Hardware Engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $174,070 a year, or about $83.69 an hour. The range runs from $97K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $156,636 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 22.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $174K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About computer hardware engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $97K. Mid-career wages sit at $174K.Top earners bring in $174K or more - a $77K 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 |
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $174,070 a year - that works out to about $83.69 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $96,710, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $174,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $174K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,811/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.1% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $156,636 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.