Computer Hardware Engineers vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $51,060 more per year than Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals — that's 49.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$63,820$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $63,820 | +$21,610 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $79,880 | +$35,620 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $103,960 | +$51,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $140,940 | +$44,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $212,420 | +$11,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $124,450 | +$32,320 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,060 (49.1% 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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