Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $107,720 -30.5% vs national
Median hourly $51.79
10th percentile $44,400
90th percentile $175,670
Employed locally 1,150
National median $155,020

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Computer Hardware Engineers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,400
    25th
    $58,570
    50th (median)
    $107,720
    75th
    $148,430
    90th
    $175,670

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Computer Hardware Engineers salary vs area income 121% Median Computer Hardware Engineers salary is 21% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Computer Hardware Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $197,090
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $188,540
    Connecticut $188,540
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $184,560
    California $179,880
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $174,070

    Nearby metros — Computer Hardware Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $164,640
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $164,620
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $152,260
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $139,400
    Huntsville, AL $139,270
    Charlottesville, VA $134,440

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $100,940
    Civil Engineers $100,280
    Mechanical Engineers $100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $79,240
    Electrical Engineers $109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $76,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Computer Hardware Engineers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in Chicago, IL-IN is $51.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $101.01 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Computer Hardware Engineers salaries?

    The median Computer Hardware Engineers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 30.5% below the national median of $155,020. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Computer Hardware Engineers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Computer Hardware Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $44,400 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,570.