Expert Computer Hardware Engineer salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes San Marcos.
Also listed as: Hardware Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $191,152 |
| 25th | $191,152 |
| 50th (median) | $198,598 |
| 75th | $200,975 |
| 90th | $215,000 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median expert Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $198,598 is worth about $177,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Hardware Engineers in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $174,440 in May 2025 (3,330 employed). The H-1B median here is $198,598, 14% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
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 | $166,000 | 20 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 8 |
| Expert · Level IV | $198,598 | 14 |
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 | $138,965 | $166,000 | 20 |
| Expert · Level IV | $198,598 | $198,598 | 14 |
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.