Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Iowa
Computer Hardware Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $125,120 a year ($60.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,980 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $161,740. Iowa ranks 24th of 41 states for computer hardware engineers pay. There are 0.09 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.18). The average (mean) salary is $137,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| 25th percentile | $106,680 | $51.29 |
| Median | $125,120 | $60.15 |
| 75th percentile | $161,740 | $77.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,980 | $90.37 |
| Average (mean) | $137,120 | $65.92 |
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 | $10,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,812.31 |
| Weekly | $2,406.15 |
| Hourly | $60.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Hardware Engineer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $161,160 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $136,600 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Materials Engineer | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $96,290 | $46.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in Iowa is $125,120 a year, or $60.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in Iowa earn at least $187,980 a year. The top 25% earn $161,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,480 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $106,680 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Iowa?
About 130 computer hardware engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.