Computer Hardware Engineers vs Computer Network Architects: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $24,630 more per year than Computer Network Architects professionals — that's 18.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $198,030 for Computer Network Architects.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Computer Network Architects$79,520 – $198,030
$79,520$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Computer Network Architects | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $79,520 | +$5,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $102,120 | +$13,380 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $130,390 | +$24,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $164,440 | +$20,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $198,030 | +$25,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $135,890 | +$20,880 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Computer Network Architects
177,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Computer Network Architects
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $174,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,880 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,570 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $155,480 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Computer Network Architects?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,630 (18.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects salaries range from $79,520 (10th percentile) to $198,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $130,390.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Computer Network Architects jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 177,010 Computer Network Architects positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Network Architects to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Computer Network Architects earns $130,390. 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