Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Kentucky
Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $116,200 a year ($55.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,050 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $161,740. Kentucky ranks 31st of 41 states for computer hardware engineers pay. There are 0.25 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $109,310, close to the median.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,400 | $34.33 |
| 25th percentile | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Median | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| 75th percentile | $126,180 | $60.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Average (mean) | $109,310 | $52.55 |
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 | $9,683.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,841.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,469.23 |
| Weekly | $2,234.62 |
| Hourly | $55.86 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $126,180 | 160 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $123,370 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in Kentucky is $116,200 a year, or $55.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in Kentucky earn at least $128,050 a year. The top 25% earn $126,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,400 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $97,280 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Kentucky?
About 500 computer hardware engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.