Computer Hardware Engineer salary in Washington, DC
Based on 11 certified H-1B filings in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Arlington, College Park, Germantown, Ashburn, Centreville.
Also listed as: Hardware Development Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $112,200 |
| 25th | $125,000 |
| 50th (median) | $131,000 |
| 75th | $136,550 |
| 90th | $162,000 |
Cost of living
Washington's median Computer Hardware Engineer salary of $131,000 is worth about $120,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Computer Hardware Engineers in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $159,480 in May 2025 (1,790 employed). The H-1B median here is $131,000, 18% lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | too few | 3 |
| Hughes Network Systems | too few | 2 |
| IonQ Quantum | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 5 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.