Computer Hardware Engineers pay in California

In California, the median pay for computer hardware engineers is $89.03 an hour ($185,180 a year). About 19,820 people work in this job there.

$89.03Median hourly pay

$150,700–$219,980Middle half of workers, yearly

19,820People in this job in California

That is 14% higher than the U.S. median ($161,740). California ranks 1st of 41 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for computer hardware engineers in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$60.86	$126,590
25% of workers	$72.45	$150,700
Half of workers (median)	$89.03	$185,180
75% of workers	$105.76	$219,980
90% of workers	$135.20	$281,210

Computer Hardware Engineers pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara	$209,860	7,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$203,890	2,810
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad	$174,440	3,330
Santa Cruz-Watsonville	$169,370	80
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$158,530	1,870
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara	$148,440	60
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$134,060	200
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura	$127,730	380
Bakersfield-Delano	$126,460	160

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for computer hardware engineers

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
Job outlook: +9.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 4,100 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in California

Job	Median yearly pay
Civil Engineers	$122,500
Industrial Engineers	$124,600
Mechanical Engineers	$130,900
Engineers, All Other	$130,850
Electrical Engineers	$144,040
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$160,520
Aerospace Engineers	$157,620
Environmental Engineers	$130,410

Other job titles for this job

Systems Integration EngineerAnalog Design EngineerAnalog Ic Design EngineerApplication Specific Integrated Circuit Design EngineerAsic Design EngineerApplication Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification EngineerAsic Design Verification EngineerComputer DesignerComputer Hardware DesignerComputer Hardware DeveloperComputer Hardware EngineerComputer Installation Engineer

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.