Computer Hardware Engineers: 76,660 jobs, median pay $161,740 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

76,660

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$161,740

Median pay a year

Middle half: $126,090–$202,990

4,100

Annual openings

10-year change: +9.1%

1,158

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

−0.5% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 98 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $209,860 · LCA filings 4917,940$209,860491

Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXMedian pay $165,530 · LCA filings 1343,850$165,530134

San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $174,440 · LCA filings 343,330$174,44034

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $167,600 · LCA filings 332,840$167,60033

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $167,010 · LCA filings 142,820$167,01014

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $203,890 · LCA filings 1232,810$203,890123

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $158,530 · LCA filings 241,870$158,53024

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $159,480 · LCA filings 81,790$159,4808

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $160,300 · LCA filings 321,780$160,30032

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $162,870 · LCA filings 461,570$162,87046

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 7,940 · LCA filings 491$209,8607,940491

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,810 · LCA filings 123$203,8902,810123

Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 120 · LCA filings 2$202,3901202

Durham–Chapel Hill, NCEmployment 430 · LCA filings 3$175,1104303

San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAEmployment 3,330 · LCA filings 34$174,4403,33034

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 83 · Employment 7,940491837,940

Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployers with LCA filings 38 · Employment 3,850134383,850

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 43 · Employment 2,810123432,810

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 1,41077151,410

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 21 · Employment 1,57046211,570

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $180,294 · Level III $208,437 · Level IV $236,558$152,173$180,294$208,437$236,558

Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $145,558 · Level III $174,179 · Level IV $202,779$116,958$145,558$174,179$202,779

San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $150,030 · Level III $177,528 · Level IV $205,046$122,512$150,030$177,528$205,046

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $148,720 · Level III $176,467 · Level IV $204,194$120,994$148,720$176,467$204,194

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $132,579 · Level III $159,702 · Level IV $186,805$105,477$132,579$159,702$186,805

San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $167,565 · Level III $197,725 · Level IV $227,864$137,426$167,565$197,725$227,864

Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $139,402 · Level III $164,154 · Level IV $188,885$114,670$139,402$164,154$188,885

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $131,248 · Level III $156,957 · Level IV $182,666$105,539$131,248$156,957$182,666

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $140,046 · Level III $167,648 · Level IV $195,250$112,445$140,046$167,648$195,250

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $127,982 · Level III $155,875 · Level IV $183,747$100,110$127,982$155,875$183,747

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $151,050 · Level III $180,523 · Level IV $209,997$121,576$151,050$180,523$209,997

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Computer EngineeringCIP 14.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months6,301STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Electrical and Computer EngineeringCIP 14.47STEM OPT · up to 36 months935STEM OPT · up to 36 months

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringCIP 14.10STEM OPT · up to 36 months7,900STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Computer Hardware Engineers in every metro area

All 98 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology