State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs Iowa
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In Iowa, $125,120. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.4% — not 48%.
Nominal pay gap
+48%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+17.4%
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%
Iowa
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $125,120
- p25
- $106,680
- p75
- $161,740
- p10
- $77,480
- p90
- $187,980
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
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.