How to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a computer hardware engineer requires a 4-year degree - typically a ABET-accredited bachelor’s in computer or electrical engineering. The national median pay is $161,740 per year, and BLS projects +7.3% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Computer Hardware Engineer at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $161,740 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $92,940 (10th pct) - $225,330 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +7.3% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in computer or electrical engineering | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | No license required | State licensing boards |
What Does a Computer Hardware Engineer Do?
Computer hardware engineers design processors, circuit boards, networking equipment, and embedded systems - the design layer above the electronics technicians and tower techs who install, test, and repair that hardware in the field.
Skills That Make a Great Computer Hardware Engineer
- Digital logic and computer architecture
- HDL design (Verilog/VHDL)
- PCB layout and signal integrity
- Embedded firmware fundamentals
- Lab bring-up and test equipment
How to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer
1. Earn an ABET-accredited bachelor’s
Computer engineering or electrical engineering with a hardware focus.
2. Build bench-to-design skills
HDL (Verilog/VHDL), PCB design tools, and embedded C round out field experience.
3. Start in test, validation, or embedded roles
Hardware validation is the classic bridge role for technicians moving into engineering.
4. Specialize
Chip design, embedded systems, networking hardware, or hardware security.
5. Advance
Senior/staff hardware engineer or engineering management.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Electronics technicians and telecom/tower techs already read schematics and chase signals for a living. An online computer or electrical engineering bachelor’s converts that bench and field skill into design roles at one of the highest BLS medians of any bachelor’s-entry occupation.
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $92,940 |
| 25th | $126,090 |
| 50th (median) | $161,740 |
| 75th | $202,990 |
| 90th | $225,330 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 76,800 |
| 2034 projected | 82,400 |
| Percent change | +7.3% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For computer hardware engineers, the credential is: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in computer or electrical engineering. A bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credit hours: four years full-time, and commonly five to six years part-time while working. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Computer Hardware Engineer
Pros
- Median pay of $161,740 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +7.3% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $92,940 at the 10th percentile
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an electronics technician become a hardware engineer?
Yes - validation and test engineering teams actively hire experienced technicians who complete the bachelor's, and the pay jump to the BLS median for this occupation is among the largest of any trade-to-degree path.
How much do computer hardware engineers make?
The national median annual wage for computer hardware engineers is $161,740 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $225,330 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $92,940.
What is the job outlook for computer hardware engineers?
BLS projects employment of computer hardware engineers to change by +7.3% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Washington · Wisconsin
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Computer Hardware Engineer Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |