Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Computer Hardware Engineers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$163,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$78.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $161,740
State Rank
#7 of 41
210 employed here

How much does a Computer Hardware Engineer make in District of Columbia?

A Computer Hardware Engineer working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $163,360 per year, or about $78.54 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $161,740 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $100,690 while the top 10% make $211,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $136,660 and $195,190 a year.

Computer Hardware Engineer salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$100,690$48.41
25th percentile (early career)$136,660$65.70
50th percentile (median)$163,360$78.54
75th percentile (experienced)$195,190$93.84
90th percentile (top earners)$211,950$101.90

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 7th out of 41 states and territories for Computer Hardware Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$185,180
2Washington$169,120
3Massachusetts$167,600
4New Mexico$165,350
5Texas$163,860

Working as a Computer Hardware Engineer in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 77,000 people work as Computer Hardware Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($163,360) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Computer Hardware Engineer make in District of Columbia?
The median Computer Hardware Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $163,360 per year, or about $78.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $100,690 at the entry level to $211,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Computer Hardware Engineers about 1% more than the national median of $161,740. District of Columbia ranks 7th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $163,360 a year. About 210 Computer Hardware Engineers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Computer Hardware Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.