State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs North Carolina
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In North Carolina, $134,670. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.1% — not 37.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+37.5%
California vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+17.1%
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%
North Carolina
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $134,670
- p25
- $95,360
- p75
- $178,360
- p10
- $74,310
- p90
- $234,390
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +56%
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.