Computer Hardware Engineers vs Financial Specialists, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $74,830 more per year than Financial Specialists, All Other professionals — that's 93.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $151,780 for Financial Specialists, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Financial Specialists, All Other$46,420 – $151,780
$46,420$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Financial Specialists, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $46,420 | +$39,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $60,140 | +$55,360 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $80,190 | +$74,830 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $109,120 | +$76,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $151,780 | +$72,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $93,890 | +$62,880 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Financial Specialists, All Other
127,450
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 Specialists, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $119,060 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $112,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $108,010 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $103,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Financial Specialists, All Other?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,830 (93.3% 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 Specialists, All Other?
Financial Specialists, All Other salaries range from $46,420 (10th percentile) to $151,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,190.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Financial Specialists, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 127,450 Financial Specialists, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Specialists, All Other to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Financial Specialists, All Other earns $80,190. 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