Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC
Based on 38 certified H-1B filings in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Morrisville.
Also listed as: Hardware Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $103,750 |
| 25th | $134,698 |
| 50th (median) | $146,637 |
| 75th | $163,122 |
| 90th | $177,900 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $104,000 | $103,571 | $120,000 | 134 |
| FY2021 | $99,591 | $98,182 | $115,500 | 24 |
| FY2022 | $133,650 | $116,927 | $156,900 | 50 |
| FY2023 | $128,886 | $124,486 | $140,761 | 20 |
| FY2024 | $135,587 | $126,979 | $151,000 | 17 |
| FY2025 | $151,007 | $142,728 | $163,122 | 26 |
| FY2026 | $133,654 | $103,792 | $163,203 | 12 |
Cost of living
Raleigh's median Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $146,637 is worth about $149,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Raleigh = 98.2).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Hardware Engineers in the Raleigh, NC area earned a median of $130,540 in May 2025 (310 employed). The H-1B median here is $146,637, 12% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | $155,000 | 25 |
| Lenovo Global Technology (United States) | too few | 4 |
| Lenovo (United States) | too few | 4 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $142,504 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $163,361 | 11 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 3 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $116,334 | $142,504 | 17 |
| Senior · Level III | $137,634 | $163,361 | 11 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.