Pay of a Computer Engineer

Computer engineers work with hardware, software, networks and systems that are integral to today’s technology. They design and implement everything from the tiniest computer chips to massive telecommunications systems. They also test their hardware designs and make modifications as needed. The relatively high computer engineering salary reflects the importance of computers to almost every aspect of modern life.

Types of Computer Engineers

There are two main types of computer engineers: hardware and software. Hardware engineers work on physical computing devices and their components, salary of computer engineer while software engineers, also known as software developers, focus on the programming code that operates the devices. In addition to working on all types of computers, from PCs to the largest supercomputers, both hardware and software engineers build and maintain computer-based systems found in smartphones, home appliances, cars, planes and many other consumer products.

The field of computer engineering is broad. Some hardware engineers who work on circuit design are doing work similar to that of electrical engineers. Others who put together complex networks may focus on software architecture, part of the skill set of computer scientists. Many universities provide different paths for computer engineering students, depending on whether their interest is in working mostly with computer hardware or with hardware and software in combination.

Computer Hardware Engineer Salary

The U.S. Department of Labor, which tracks computer engineering salary data, reports that the 2017 median salary for computer engineers was $115,120. This is the amount at which half of engineers made more and half made less. Salaries for the top 10 percent of earners was more than $176,900. The lowest 10 percent made less than $66,290.

Some industries pay higher salaries for computer engineers than others. For example, the semiconductor industry had a median salary of $130,150 in 2017. Another high-paying area for computer engineering is scientific research and development, where the median annual wage was $126,670. Computer engineers working for the federal government were among the lowest earners, with a median salary of $111,550.