Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $129,830 a year ($62.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,090 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $125,110. There are 0.19 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $128,250, close to the median.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,560 | $33.92 |
| 25th percentile | $106,590 | $51.25 |
| Median | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| 75th percentile | $164,070 | $78.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,090 | $82.74 |
| Average (mean) | $128,250 | $61.66 |
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 | $10,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,993.46 |
| Weekly | $2,496.73 |
| Hourly | $62.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $133,430 | 270 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $119,670 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $108,480 | 240 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $114,560 | $55.08 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,290 | $58.31 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $129,830 a year, or $62.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $172,090 a year. The top 25% earn $164,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,560 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $106,590 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 70 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.