State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs Illinois
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In Illinois, $133,220. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.6% — not 39%.
Nominal pay gap
+39%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+25.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $185,180
- p25
- $150,700
- p75
- $219,980
- p10
- $126,590
- p90
- $281,210
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -19%
Illinois
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $133,220
- p25
- $97,930
- p75
- $165,360
- p10
- $77,420
- p90
- $210,100
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -17%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.