Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $159,480 a year ($76.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,090 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $161,740. Pay here is 2% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $163,360. There are 0.57 computer hardware engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $157,210, close to the median.
Pay range for computer hardware engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 25th percentile | $117,820 | $56.64 |
| Median | $159,480 | $76.67 |
| 75th percentile | $191,940 | $92.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,090 | $106.29 |
| Average (mean) | $157,210 | $75.58 |
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 | $13,290 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,645 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,133.85 |
| Weekly | $3,066.92 |
| Hourly | $76.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $156,750 | 740 |
| Richmond, VA | $132,270 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $131,710 | 280 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $127,620 | 210 |
| 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,340 | $72.76 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,990 | $61.05 |
| Electrical Engineer | $126,420 | $60.78 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $166,420 | $80.01 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $180,360 | $86.71 |
| Environmental Engineer | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $159,700 | $76.78 |
| Materials Engineer | $140,640 | $67.62 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,820 | $63.86 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $125,760 | $60.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for computer hardware engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $159,480 a year, or $76.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer hardware engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of computer hardware engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $221,090 a year. The top 25% earn $191,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer hardware engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,780 a year, and a quarter of computer hardware engineers earn $117,820 or less.
How many computer hardware engineers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,790 computer hardware engineers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.