Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $130,540 a year ($62.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,760 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $134,670. There are 0.42 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $134,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| 25th percentile | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Median | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| 75th percentile | $165,500 | $79.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,760 | $98.93 |
| Average (mean) | $134,440 | $64.63 |
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 | $10,878.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,439.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,020.77 |
| Weekly | $2,510.38 |
| Hourly | $62.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $175,110 | 430 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $131,710 | 280 |
| 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $162,800 | $78.27 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,050 | $55.31 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $130,300 | $62.65 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $130,540 a year, or $62.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $205,760 a year. The top 25% earn $165,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,520 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $95,360 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 310 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.