Computer Hardware Engineer salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A computer hardware engineer earns a median of $161,740 a year ($77.76 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $162,670. About 76,660 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $161,740
- Gross pay
- $6,220.77
- Federal income tax
- −$1,059.68
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$385.69
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$90.20
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $4,685.20
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $161,740
- Federal
- $27,552
- FICA
- $12,373
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $121,815
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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- Engineer: $122,930
- Electrical Engineer: $120,630
- Health and Safety Engineer: $115,160
BLS occupation: Computer Hardware Engineers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 17-2061). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $77.76; the average is $78.21.
What is the salary range for a computer hardware engineer?
The bottom 10% earn under $92,940 and the top 10% earn over $225,330 a year.
How much is $161,740 after taxes?
About $121,815 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $108,916 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.