How Much Does a Senior Hardware Engineer Make? (2025)
Often interchanged with senior hardware design engineers, a senior hardware engineer is responsible for providing analysis related to the design, testing, implementation, and management of hardware for products, whereas a senior hardware design engineer is specifically responsible for the creation and development of the hardware.
There is no specific job outlook for senior hardware engineers in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the career and employment for computer hardware engineers is estimated to increase by 7% in the years 2024 to 2034, with around 4,700 job openings every year.
Read this salary guide to learn how much a senior hardware engineer earns, responsibilities, and factors that affect their compensation, and how to become one.
What Does a Senior Hardware Engineer do?
Senior hardware engineers are responsible for developing test strategies, devices, and systems. They build prototypes to determine design feasibility and perform stress and performance tests on prototypes and various computer hardware, such as circuit boards, processors, and wiring.
Moreover, they refine designs based on performance data and feedback, optimize hardware efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and stay abreast of advancements in hardware technology and materials.
Here are more detailed roles and responsibilities of employees with senior hardware engineer titles:
- They design and build hardware components for devices, which include schematic design, PCB layout, and component selection.
- They coordinate with cross-functional teams for mechanical design and implementation.
- They give technical expertise to ensure quality and functional product performance that meets requirements.
- They assist in software debugging and design verification testing.
- They conduct feasibility studies and cost analyses in determining the viability of hardware solutions.
- They collaborate with vendors and suppliers to ensure quality manufacturing processes and components.
- They provide guidance to junior hardware engineers to add and enhance technical knowledge and skills in the design and development of hardware.
What is a Senior Hardware Engineer Salary Overview?
As of October 23, 2025, the average salary for senior hardware engineers in the United States is $114,280 annually. The range is from $98,672 to $133,652, with earnings mostly between $106,110 and $124,420.
The average monthly rate is $9,523 with a range from $8,223 to $11,138, while the average hourly rate is $55 with a range from $47 to $64.
2025 Senior Hardware Engineer Salary: $114,280 per year ($55 per hour)
Depending on the percentile, a senior hardware engineer's pay with bonus ranges from $107,048 to $145,563, with $125,350 as the average value.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $107,048 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,770 |
| 50th Percentile | $125,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $145,563 |
The average total compensation for senior hardware engineers, including the core compensation and benefits, is $173,260. The median base salary for senior hardware engineers makes up 66.0% of the total compensation, while benefits like social security, health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off make up 22.2%.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $114,280 | 66.0% |
| Bonus | $11,070 | 6.4% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $9,589 | 5.5% |
| 401K/403B | $5,265 | 3.0% |
| Disability | $2,507 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.8% |
| Pension | $6,769 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $15,428 | 8.9% |
| Total Compensation | $173,260 | 100% |
What Can Affect Senior Hardware Engineer Salaries?
Factors, like experience level, geographic location, education, company size, and skills, can affect the salary for senior hardware engineers. Here are the effects of these factors in terms of annual compensation.
By Experience Level
The pay for senior hardware engineers varies depending on the experience level. An entry-level senior hardware engineer is worth $110,573, while an expert-level with over 8 years of experience can expect $119,952 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Hardware Engineer | $110,573 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Hardware Engineer | $111,190 |
| Senior Level Senior Hardware Engineer | $112,426 |
| Specialist Level Senior Hardware Engineer | $118,011 |
| Expert Level Senior Hardware Engineer | $119,952 |
By Geographic Location
Key factors why geographic location affects salaries in the United States are the local economy, cost of living, and industry presence. Here are the hot cities in the US for senior hardware engineers:
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $132,520 | $142,720 | $155,390 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $117,490 | $126,530 | $137,760 |
| Miami, Florida | $101,950 | $109,800 | $119,550 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $109,660 | $118,090 | $128,580 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $118,350 | $127,450 | $138,770 |
| New York, New York | $122,970 | $132,440 | $144,200 |
| Dallas, Texas | $104,790 | $112,850 | $122,870 |
According to Salary.com data, San Francisco, CA has the most competitive pay among the hot cities, with salaries ranging from $132,520 to $155,390, while Miami, FL has the least, with salaries ranging from $101,950 to $119,550.
By Skills
Compensation for senior hardware engineers gets higher with more acquired skills. High-demand competencies also respond with higher earning potential.
Data from Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report suggests that senior hardware engineers with skills in Root Cause Analysis can experience the highest pay increase at 7.69%, followed by Prototyping at 7.60%.
Meanwhile, the most in-demand skills are Electrical Schematic Drawings and Capture and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) at 10.60% and 10.50%, respectively. Some highly compensated skills also include Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Python, Engineering Analysis, and Computer Hardware.
| Skills | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Root Cause Analysis | 10.50% | +7.69% |
| Prototyping | 10.30% | +7.60% |
| Python | 10.10% | +7.24% |
| Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | 10.20% | +7.21% |
| Engineering Analysis | 10.00% | +7.01% |
| Electrical Schematic Drawings and Capture | 10.60% | +6.99% |
How to Become a Senior Hardware Engineer
To become a senior hardware engineer, one needs to meet the educational, experience, and abilities. Here are steps and tips to become one:
-
Qualifications
A minimum requirement for senior hardware engineers is a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering or related fields. Entering junior engineering positions will eventually lead to senior roles with 4 to 7 years of related experience. These professionals must have a proven track record in hardware design and development, experience in electrical and signal integrity simulation tools, and a strong knowledge of hardware design tools, hardware debugging tools, and test equipment. -
Skills
The position as senior hardware engineer comes with extensive skills and expertise. Senior hardware engineers must have strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, proficient communication, and collaborative skills. Important competencies also include PCB layout, schematic design, component selection, hardware testing, technical guidance, feasibility analysis, manufacturing support, mentorship, Altium designer, and electrical engineering. -
Certifications
Certifications are also important for qualifying into senior positions in hardware engineering since they are evidence of professional experience and industry knowledge. This includes vendor-specific or neutral certifications, BICSI ICT Certification, CompTIA A+, and Certified Hardware and Technology Engineer.
What are the FAQs about the Senior Hardware Engineer?
Here are some common questions about the salary for senior hardware engineers:
What is the senior hardware engineer salary near Washington, DC?
The senior hardware engineer salary near Washington, DC is $126,530, with a range between $109,260 and $147,984.
What is the average salary of a senior hardware engineer in 2025?
The average salary of a senior hardware engineer as of October 23, 2025, is $114,280 USD.
What is the highest salary for a hardware engineer?
The highest salary for a hardware engineer is $133,652, but it can go up depending on the location, skills, and compensation package. The highest paying city for senior hardware engineers is San Jose, CA with $144,140. Those with highly compensable skills like root cause analysis and prototyping can get a salary increase as high as 7.69%. Meanwhile, the average total compensation for senior hardware engineers, including the core compensation and benefits, is $173,260.
What is the typical salary range for senior hardware engineers in the U.S.?
The typical salary range for senior hardware engineers in the US is $98,672 to $133,652, with earnings mostly between $106,110 and $124,420.
