SalaryByCity

Computer Hardware Engineers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: 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

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $52,410 more per year than Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals — that's 51.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,690$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Hardware EngineersSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$85,430$60,690+$24,740
25th Percentile$115,500$79,520+$35,980
Median (50th)$155,020$102,610+$52,410
75th Percentile$185,380$131,870+$53,510
90th Percentile$223,820$166,960+$56,860
Mean (Average)$156,770$110,260+$46,510

Employment Numbers

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,410 (51.1% 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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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