Compliance Officers vs Computer Hardware Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $76,600 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 97.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $223,820 for Computer Hardware Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
$46,230$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Computer Hardware Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $85,430 | $-39,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $115,500 | $-56,370 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $155,020 | $-76,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $185,380 | $-80,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $223,820 | $-93,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $156,770 | $-71,790 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $76,600 (97.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
How many Compliance Officers and Computer Hardware Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Hardware Engineers to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Computer Hardware Engineers earns $155,020. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS