The salary of a Hardware Design Engineer I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Hardware Design Engineer I in the United States is $82,020. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $66,259 to a high of $95,221, with most professionals earning between $73,770 and $88,930.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $88,930 | $7,411 | $1,710 | $43 |
| Average | $82,020 | $6,835 | $1,577 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,770 | $6,148 | $1,419 | $35 |
An entry-level Hardware Design Engineer I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $81,404. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $82,226. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $83,773. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $84,083, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $84,289.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Hardware Design Engineer I | $81,404 |
| Intermediate Level Hardware Design Engineer I | $82,226 |
| Senior Level Hardware Design Engineer I | $83,773 |
| Specialist Level Hardware Design Engineer I | $84,083 |
| Expert Level Hardware Design Engineer I | $84,289 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Hardware Design Engineer I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $79,391 in 2023 to approximately $78,725 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Hardware Design Engineer I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Hardware Design Engineer I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Hardware Design Engineer I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Hardware Design Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $82,020 | 70.6% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $6,275 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,445 | 3.0% | ||
| Disability | $1,640 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 7.2% | ||
| Pension | $4,429 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $10,095 | 8.7% | ||
| Total Compensation | $116,256 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 4.1% |
| Associates | 8.1% |
| Bachelors | 55.8% |
| Masters | 27.4% |
| Doctorate | 4.1% |
What Am I Worth?
To be a successful computer hardware engineer, you need strong analytical skills to evaluate digital circuits, critical-thinking abilities to assess design options, problem-solving skills to address challenges, and effective communication skills to collaborate with team members. The salary for this role typically ranges from $73,990 to $84,950, with a mid-point of $79,600.
The lowest salary for a Hardware Design Engineer is $73,990. The salary range for this position typically falls between $73,990 and $84,950, with a mid-level salary of $79,600.
The monthly income of a Hardware Design Engineer typically ranges from approximately ₹61,658 to ₹70,792, with an average monthly salary around ₹66,333. Entry-level positions may start at ₹6,158 per month, while experienced engineers can earn up to ₹70,792 monthly.
The demand for hardware design engineers is indeed high, with competitive salaries reflecting this trend. The minimum salary starts at $73,990, while the mid-range salary is around $79,600, and experienced professionals can earn up to $84,950. This indicates a robust job market for those in the field.
The highest paid design job in hardware engineering is the Hardware Design Engineer position. The salary range for this role typically starts at $73,990, with a mid-level salary of $79,600, and can go up to a maximum of $84,950. This reflects the demand and expertise required in the field of hardware design.
As of now, the salary range for a Hardware Design Engineer in the United States is between $73,990 and $84,950 annually, with a mid-salary of $79,600. This translates to approximately $35.48 to $40.80 per hour, or about $1,423 to $1,635 per week.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
