Computer Hardware Engineers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $58,220 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 60.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$60,320$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $60,320 | +$25,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $75,860 | +$39,640 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $96,800 | +$58,220 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $123,390 | +$61,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $150,320 | +$73,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $101,190 | +$55,580 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $58,220 (60.1% 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. 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