Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Computer Hardware Engineers in Winston-Salem, NC make a median of $159,310 a year, or about $76.59 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $82K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.04), which stretches that salary to about $173,088 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,232/month, or 12.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $159K get you in Winston-Salem?
About computer hardware engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Winston-Salem, NC
Entry-level computer hardware engineers (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K.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 Winston-Salem numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median is $159,310 a year - that works out to about $76.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in Winston-Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,373/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,232/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 13.1% 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 Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 92.04 (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 $173,088 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.