Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $113,510 a year ($54.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,810 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 18% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $139,030. There are 0.34 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $122,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,210 | $41.93 |
| 25th percentile | $94,980 | $45.66 |
| Median | $113,510 | $54.57 |
| 75th percentile | $151,460 | $72.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,810 | $85.49 |
| Average (mean) | $122,310 | $58.81 |
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 | $9,459.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,729.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,365.77 |
| Weekly | $2,182.88 |
| Hourly | $54.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $159,480 | 1,790 |
| Richmond, VA | $132,270 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $131,710 | 280 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,130 | $51.02 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,560 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $106,980 | $51.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,690 | $58.99 |
| Civil Engineer | $89,250 | $42.91 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Surveyor | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $51,690 | $24.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $113,510 a year, or $54.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $177,810 a year. The top 25% earn $151,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,210 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $94,980 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 40 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.