Computer hardware engineers design, develop, and test the physical components and systems that make computers work. It is technical, problem-focused work that requires a bachelor's degree and strong foundations in math and engineering.
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Computer hardware engineers design and build the physical parts of computers and related devices. You work with processors, circuit boards, memory systems, and other components that make machines run. Your days involve analyzing technical problems, reading and writing detailed specifications, and thinking through creative solutions to engineering challenges. You stay current with rapid advances in technology and collaborate with teams to test prototypes and improve designs. This work blends hands-on technical knowledge with strategic problem-solving.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median of $161,740 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 4,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Your coursework covers computers and electronics, mathematics, physics, and design principles. During your studies, you build skills in reading technical materials, critical thinking, and communicating complex ideas clearly. Many programs include internships or project-based learning that give you real experience before graduation. After your degree, you enter the field as a junior engineer and grow your expertise on the job.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Since the program length and focus matter for your timeline, Pathly can map the computer hardware engineer path that fits you with your counselor to map out which engineering specialization fits your interests and goals.
Many computer hardware engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to hands-on technical work and enjoy solving concrete problems. You think logically about how systems work and like building or improving things.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).