Computer Hardware Engineers vs Financial Examiners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $64,620 more per year than Financial Examiners professionals — that's 71.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $171,540 for Financial Examiners.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
$53,420$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Financial Examiners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $53,420 | +$32,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $66,800 | +$48,700 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $90,400 | +$64,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $127,210 | +$58,170 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $171,540 | +$52,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $103,650 | +$53,120 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Financial Examiners
62,830
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 Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Financial Examiners?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $64,620 (71.5% 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 Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Financial Examiners jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 62,830 Financial Examiners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Examiners to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Financial Examiners earns $90,400. 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