Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Madison, WI
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $82,200 a year ($39.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,900 for the top 10%. That is 49% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 2% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $83,670. There are 0.29 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $102,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,980 | $33.64 |
| 25th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Median | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 75th percentile | $103,640 | $49.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,900 | $68.22 |
| Average (mean) | $102,140 | $49.11 |
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 | $6,850 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,425 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,161.54 |
| Weekly | $1,580.77 |
| Hourly | $39.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $134,300 | 550 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $99,010 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,680 | $47.93 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Environmental Engineer | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Materials Engineer | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $97,190 | $46.73 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,210 | $34.71 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,210 | $47.70 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Madison, WI metro area is $82,200 a year, or $39.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $141,900 a year. The top 25% earn $103,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,980 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $82,200 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Madison, WI?
About 120 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.