SalaryByCity

Computer Hardware Engineers vs Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Hardware Engineers

$155,020

Median annual salary

75,710 employed nationally

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $78,070 more per year than Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals — that's 101.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $144,610 for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
$42,070$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Hardware EngineersMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$85,430$42,070+$43,360
25th Percentile$115,500$56,220+$59,280
Median (50th)$155,020$76,950+$78,070
75th Percentile$185,380$104,870+$80,510
90th Percentile$223,820$144,610+$79,210
Mean (Average)$156,770$86,480+$70,290

Employment Numbers

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

employed nationwide

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers

CityMedian
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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $78,070 (101.5% 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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $76,950. 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