Computer Hardware Engineers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $164,640 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $79.16
10th percentile $100,040
90th percentile —
Employed locally 360
National median $155,020

Compare Computer Hardware Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Durham, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Computer Hardware Engineers
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $100,040
    25th
    $131,660
    50th (median)
    $164,640
    75th
    $227,720

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Computer Hardware Engineers salary vs area income 203% Median Computer Hardware Engineers salary is 103% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $172,920
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $170,360
    Winston-Salem, NC $159,310
    Anchorage, AK $136,080
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $130,810
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $129,530

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers$104,230
    Electrical Engineers$112,090
    Civil Engineers$92,670
    Mechanical Engineers$101,560
    Surveying and Mapping Technicians$61,000
    Engineers, All Other$107,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in Durham, NC is $79.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $141.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Computer Hardware Engineers salary in Durham, NC is 6.2% above 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Computer Hardware Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $100,040 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $131,660.