Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $161,720 a year ($77.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,650 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $156,080. There are 3.4 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $162,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| 25th percentile | $132,770 | $63.83 |
| Median | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| 75th percentile | $205,000 | $98.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,650 | $104.16 |
| Average (mean) | $162,060 | $77.91 |
Half of computer hardware engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,476.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,738.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,220 |
| Weekly | $3,110 |
| Hourly | $77.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $168,990 | 490 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $144,660 | 970 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $136,920 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for computer hardware engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $185,180 |
| Washington | $169,120 |
| Massachusetts | $167,600 |
| New Mexico | $165,350 |
| Texas | $163,860 |
| New York | $163,470 |
| District of Columbia | $163,360 |
| Hawaii | $159,880 |
| Arizona | $158,280 |
| Colorado | $156,080 |
See Computer Hardware Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $167,160 | $80.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,170 | $62.58 |
| Materials Engineer | $151,940 | $73.05 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $161,720 a year, or $77.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $216,650 a year. The top 25% earn $205,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,390 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $132,770 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Boulder, CO?
About 650 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.