Computer Hardware Engineers vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $75,140 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 94.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$51,640$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $51,640 | +$33,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $63,070 | +$52,430 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $79,880 | +$75,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $104,820 | +$80,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $138,020 | +$85,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $90,830 | +$65,940 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
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 Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Insurance Underwriters?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $75,140 (94.1% 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 Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Insurance Underwriters earns $79,880. 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