Expert Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Seattle, WA
Based on 26 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Sumner, Bothell.
Also listed as: Hardware Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $174,460 |
| 25th | $180,125 |
| 50th (median) | $215,030 |
| 75th | $224,928 |
| 90th | $250,682 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | $214,736 | $195,614 | $217,799 | 10 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 6 |
| FY2024 | $217,646 | $208,431 | $236,759 | 18 |
| FY2025 | $214,258 | $180,500 | $216,284 | 17 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 9 |
Cost of living
Seattle's median expert Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $215,030 is worth about $193,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Seattle = 111.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Hardware Engineers in the Seattle, WA area earned a median of $169,120 in May 2025 (1,410 employed). The H-1B median here is $215,030, 27% 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 | $136,170 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $140,000 | 51 |
| Senior · Level III | $178,225 | 74 |
| Expert · Level IV | $215,030 | 26 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $116,626 | $136,170 | 12 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $137,093 | $140,000 | 51 |
| Senior · Level III | $146,702 | $178,225 | 74 |
| Expert · Level IV | $178,027 | $215,030 | 26 |
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.