Median annual earnings of computer hardware engineers were $72,150 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,490 and $91,730. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $114,880. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer hardware engineers in 2002 were:
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | $76,600 |
| Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing | 75,300 |
| Computer systems designs and related services | 74,320 |
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers in 2003 for bachelor's degree candidates in computer engineering averaged $51,343 a year; master's degree candidates averaged $64,200.
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer hardware and supervise its manufacture and installation. Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. (Computer software engineers—often simply called computer engineers—design and develop the software systems that control computers. These workers are covered elsewhere in the Handbook.) The work of computer hardware engineers is very similar to that of electronics engineers, but, unlike electronics engineers, computer hardware engineers work exclusively with computers and computer-related equipment. (See electrical and electronics engineers elsewhere in the Handbook.) In addition to design and development duties, computer hardware engineers may supervise the manufacture and installation of computers and computer-related equipment. The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers. To keep up with technological advances, these engineers must continually update their knowledge.
.Computer hardware engineers may face competition for jobs because the number of degrees granted in this field has increased rapidly and because employment is expected grow more slowly than average. Although the use of information technology continues to expand rapidly, the manufacture of computer hardware is expected to be adversely affected by intense foreign competition. Also, this industry is expected to continue to experience very high levels of productivity growth, which will even affect computer hardware engineers. The utilization of foreign computer hardware engineering services also will serve to limit growth. In addition to job openings arising from employment growth, other vacancies will result from the need to replace workers who move into managerial positions, transfer to other occupations, or leave the labor force.
For further information on careers, education, certification, publications, and conferences related to computer hardware engineers, contact:
See the introduction to the section on engineers for information on working conditions, training requirements, and other sources of additional information.
Highly favorable opportunities are expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and with practical work experience. Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire new skills in conjunction with the rapid changes in computer technology. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code. Some software engineers develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems expands electronics to engineering firms traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htm
Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers. Almost 40 percent worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing. Almost one-quarter worked in professional, scientific, and technical services firms, many of which provided services to the computer industry. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,490 and $91,730.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos266.htm
Highly favorable opportunities are expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and with practical work experience. Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire new skills in conjunction with the rapid changes in computer technology. Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users' needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems expands electronics to engineering firms traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines.
Summary of: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft44.shtml
Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. (Computer software engineersÑoften simply called computer engineersÑdesign and develop the software systems that control computers. Almost 40 percent worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing. Almost one-quarter worked in professional, scientific, and technical services firms, many of which provided services to the computer industry. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,490 and $91,730.
Summary of: http://www.engineering-careers-online.com/computer_hardware_engineers_occupational_outlook.html
Systems analysts solve computer problems and enable computer technology to meet individual needs of an organization. Systems development workers are also referred to as a systems developer and systems architect. When a system is accepted, analysts determine what computer hardware and software will be needed to set it up. Analysts, who do more in-depth testing of products, may be referred to as software quality assurance analysts. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,570 and $74,180 a year.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/232.htm
Hardware is the nuts and bolts of the computer, the parts that allow the cool software to run effectively. Without sufficient hardware computers would not be able to run all of the neat graphics that are available. Computer Hardware Designers create all the memory, sound cards, hard drives, printers, monitors, keyboards, CD players, DVD Players and other devises your computer uses. Even though hardware design is what attracts people to the field, David Glen, a project leader of ASIC design at ATI Technologies, says "design usually takes up 10 to 20 percent of his time. "If you look at just the PC itself, there are a number of elements that have designs specifically proposed," he says.
Summary of: http://www.gettech.org/career_desc.asp?job_id=14&cat_id=3
Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers. Computer hardware engineers held about 60,000 jobs in 2000. About 25 percent were employed in computer and data processing services. The middle 50 percent earned between $52,960 and $86,280.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20022003/ocos266.htm
Hardware is the term applied to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and other equipment like keyboards, modems, and printers. (Computer software engineers on the other hand, deal with designing and developing software systems that control computers and are called simply, computer engineers. Added to devising and developmental activities, computer hardware engineers also oversee the production and installation of computer equipment. Although the use of information technology continues to expand rapidly, the manufacture of computer hardware is expected to be adversely affected by intense foreign competition. Also, this industry is expected to continue to experience very high levels of productivity growth, which will even affect computer hardware engineers.
Summary of: http://www.careeroverview.com/computer-hardware-engineering-careers.html
These engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing as well supervising the production of electrical and electronic equipment and machinery. However, those engineers who deal exclusively with computer hardware are called computer hardware engineers- an engineering specialty with is discussed separately in the Handbook. These engineers are involved in designing new products, writing requirements for their performance, as well as developing maintenance schedules and charts. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Job and Employment Opportunities Favorable employment opportunities are predicted for electrical and electronic engineers. The middle 50 percent received salaries between $54,550 and $84,670 while the lowest 10 percent earned below $44,780.
Summary of: http://www.careeroverview.com/electrical-engineering-careers.html
Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. In addition to design and development duties, computer hardware engineers may supervise the manufacture and installation of computers and computer-related equipment. Almost 40 percent worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing. Almost one-quarter worked in professional, scientific, and technical services firms, many of which provided services to the computer industry. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,490 and $91,730.
Summary of: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/proft12.shtml