Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $99,010 a year ($47.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,150 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 18% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $83,670. There are 0.06 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.12). The average (mean) salary is $102,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| 25th percentile | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Median | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| 75th percentile | $103,190 | $49.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $186,150 | $89.49 |
| Average (mean) | $102,920 | $49.48 |
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 | $8,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,125.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,808.08 |
| Weekly | $1,904.04 |
| Hourly | $47.60 |
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 |
| Madison, WI | $82,200 | 120 |
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,020 | $48.09 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,190 | $46.24 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,730 | $47.46 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,950 | $47.57 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,360 | $41.52 |
| Engineers, All Other | $106,320 | $51.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $109,220 | $52.51 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,640 | $62.33 |
| Materials Engineer | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $93,710 | $45.05 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,680 | $47.93 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $99,010 a year, or $47.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $186,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $186,150 a year. The top 25% earn $103,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,030 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $72,760 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 50 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.