State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs Montana
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In Montana, $141,680. After cost-of-living, the gap is 11.7% — not 30.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+30.7%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+11.7%
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%
Montana
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $141,680
- p25
- $116,490
- p75
- $161,830
- p10
- $105,800
- p90
- $183,500
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.6
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.