Computer Hardware Engineers vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $52,880 more per year than Personal Financial Advisors professionals — that's 51.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$49,990$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $49,990 | +$35,440 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $70,620 | +$44,880 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $102,140 | +$52,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $172,540 | +$12,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $160,210 | $-3,440 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
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 Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Personal Financial Advisors?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,880 (51.8% 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 Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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