Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $131,710 a year ($63.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,040 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 5% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $139,030. There are 0.36 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $132,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| 25th percentile | $102,190 | $49.13 |
| Median | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| 75th percentile | $164,280 | $78.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,040 | $92.81 |
| Average (mean) | $132,360 | $63.63 |
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 | $10,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,065.77 |
| Weekly | $2,532.88 |
| Hourly | $63.32 |
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 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $159,480 | 1,790 |
| Richmond, VA | $132,270 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,540 | 310 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $123,950 | 70 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $113,510 | 40 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $131,710 a year, or $63.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $193,040 a year. The top 25% earn $164,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,700 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $102,190 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 280 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.