Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $132,270 a year ($63.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,590 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 5% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $139,030. There are 0.11 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.23). The average (mean) salary is $133,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| 25th percentile | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Median | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| 75th percentile | $169,100 | $81.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,590 | $96.44 |
| Average (mean) | $133,680 | $64.27 |
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 | $11,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,511.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,087.31 |
| Weekly | $2,543.65 |
| Hourly | $63.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $159,480 | 1,790 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $131,710 | 280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $113,510 | 40 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $132,270 a year, or $63.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $200,590 a year. The top 25% earn $169,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,390 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $84,030 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 70 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.