Computer Hardware Engineers Salary
Computer Hardware Engineers in Washington make a median of $169,120 a year, or about $81.31 an hour. The range runs from $100K at the entry level to $260K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $165,788 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 16.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $169K get you in Washington?
About computer hardware engineers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Computer hardware engineers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $169K locally vs. $162K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 17.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $100K. Mid-career wages sit at $169K. Top earners bring in $260K or more, a $160K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Hardware Engineers salary by metro in Washington
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $169K | +0% | 1,410 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $123K | -27% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track computer hardware engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer hardware engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $169K, rent takes 17.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer hardware engineers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer hardware engineers typically earn — is $100K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,007/month. At HUD’s $1,830/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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $169K locally vs. $162K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for computer hardware engineers?
Washington pays $169K median vs. the U.S. average of $162K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $166K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Washington?
The median is $169,120 a year, that works out to about $81 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,120, and experienced computer hardware engineers can clear $260,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $169K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,529/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 17.4% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $165,788 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.