Mid-level Computer Hardware Engineer salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 20 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II 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 | $148,486 |
| 25th | $156,750 |
| 50th (median) | $166,000 |
| 75th | $174,250 |
| 90th | $175,800 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2022 | $145,000 | $124,828 | $170,000 | 13 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2024 | $156,000 | $154,500 | $168,112 | 10 |
| FY2025 | $163,000 | $156,750 | $170,425 | 12 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 8 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median mid-level Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $166,000 is worth about $148,400 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 $166,000, 5% lower.
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
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| $169,000 | 16 |
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.