Computer Hardware Engineers vs Social and Community Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $76,780 more per year than Social and Community Service Managers professionals — that's 98.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $129,820 for Social and Community Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Social and Community Service Managers$50,020 – $129,820
$50,020$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Social and Community Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $50,020 | +$35,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $62,420 | +$53,080 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $78,240 | +$76,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $100,600 | +$84,780 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $129,820 | +$94,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $86,100 | +$70,670 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Social and Community Service Managers
195,490
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 Social and Community Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $104,410 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $101,210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $98,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Social and Community Service Managers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $76,780 (98.1% 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 Social and Community Service Managers?
Social and Community Service Managers salaries range from $50,020 (10th percentile) to $129,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,240.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Social and Community Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 195,490 Social and Community Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Social and Community Service Managers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Social and Community Service Managers earns $78,240. 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