Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Columbus, OH
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $120,950 a year ($58.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,380 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $118,160. There are 0.08 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.16). The average (mean) salary is $138,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Median | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| 75th percentile | $181,910 | $87.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,380 | $104.51 |
| Average (mean) | $138,250 | $66.47 |
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 | $10,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,039.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,651.92 |
| Weekly | $2,325.96 |
| Hourly | $58.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $121,030 | 220 |
| Cleveland, OH | $119,450 | 110 |
| Akron, OH | $118,130 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,120 | 80 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,500 | $60.34 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,860 | $53.30 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,190 | $61.15 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $113,570 | $54.60 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $120,950 a year, or $58.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $217,380 a year. The top 25% earn $181,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,410 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $95,970 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Columbus, OH?
About 90 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.