Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $175,110 a year ($84.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $294,880 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 30% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $134,670. There are 1.3 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $185,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| 25th percentile | $142,820 | $68.66 |
| Median | $175,110 | $84.19 |
| 75th percentile | $234,390 | $112.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $294,880 | $141.77 |
| Average (mean) | $185,400 | $89.13 |
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 | $14,592.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,296.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,735 |
| Weekly | $3,367.50 |
| Hourly | $84.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $131,710 | 280 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,540 | 310 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $123,950 | 70 |
| 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Electrical Engineer | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Civil Engineer | $93,940 | $45.16 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $127,710 | $61.40 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $99,050 | $47.62 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $155,680 | $74.85 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,440 | $56.46 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,950 | $51.90 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $116,780 | $56.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $117,000 | $56.25 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $98,620 | $47.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $175,110 a year, or $84.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $294,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $294,880 a year. The top 25% earn $234,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,900 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $142,820 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 430 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.