---

Computer Hardware Engineering

Types of Degrees Computer Hardware Engineering Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Computer Hardware Engineering can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Associate’s Degree	2
Bachelor’s Degree	18
Master’s Degree	58
Doctor’s Degree	2

What Computer Hardware Engineering Majors Need to Know

Studies in Computer Hardware Engineering emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Hardware Engineering graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Computer Hardware Engineering emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Engineering and Technology — Importance 4.7 / 5; level 6.0 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 5.6 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 5.6 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Design — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 5.0 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Computer Hardware Engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Speaking — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Writing — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Computer Hardware Engineering careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Oral Expression — Importance 4.2 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 4.1 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.9 / 7.
• Speech Clarity — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.3 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Hardware Engineering graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.5 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.5 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.4 / 7
Analyzing Data or Information	4.4 / 7
Working with Computers	4.4 / 7
Processing Information	4.3 / 7
Getting Information	4.3 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.1 / 7
Training and Teaching Others	4.1 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Hardware Engineering professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	✓
Oracle Java	Object or component oriented development software	—
Python	Object or component oriented development software	✓
Web browser software	Internet browser software	—
Computer aided design CAD software	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management	Project management software	—
Microsoft Project	Project management software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Autodesk AutoCAD	Computer aided design CAD software	✓
PTC Creo Parametric	Computer aided design CAD software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Hardware Engineering graduates include:

• Metallurgical Engineering Teacher
• Mining Teacher
• Robotics Instructor
• Motion and Time Study Teacher
• Design Teacher
• Engineering Fundamentals Instructor
• Sanitary Engineering Teacher
• Marine Engineering Teacher
• Engineering Professor
• Petroleum Engineering Professor
• Mechanical Drawing Teacher
• Surveying Teacher
• College Professor
• Theoretical Mechanics Teacher
• Engineering Faculty Member

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Hardware Engineering graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Doctoral degree	35.3%
Bachelor’s degree	21.9%
Master’s degree	15.9%
Post-master’s certificate	11.0%
Post-doctoral training	10.3%
First professional degree	1.6%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	1.1%
Some college courses	1.1%
Postsecondary certificate	0.9%
Post-baccalaureate certificate	0.8%
High school diploma or equivalent	0.2%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Hardware Engineering?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 77.5% of Computer Hardware Engineering degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	18	22.5%
Men	62	77.5%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Computer Hardware Engineering graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	26	32.5%
Asian	15	18.8%
Hispanic or Latino	7	8.8%
Black or African American	2	2.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	1	1.2%
Two or More Races	2	2.5%
Race Unknown	1	1.2%
International Students	26	32.5%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Hardware Engineering Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Computer Hardware Engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$82,085
4 years	$94,356
5 years	$109,878

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $109,878 — roughly 34% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Computer Hardware Engineering Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Computer Hardware Engineering graduates earn a median of $94,356 four years after completion — roughly 148% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Computer Engineering	14.09
Computer Engineering, General	14.0901
Computer Engineering, Other	14.0999
Computer Software Engineering	14.0903
Electrical and Computer Engineering	14.4701
Electrical and Electronics Engineering	14.1001
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General	14.0201
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, Other	14.0299
Agricultural Engineering	14.0301
Architectural Engineering	14.0401
Astronautical Engineering	14.0202
Biochemical Engineering	14.4301

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.