State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs South Carolina
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In South Carolina, $125,110. After cost-of-living, the gap is 25.3% — not 48%.
Nominal pay gap
+48%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+25.3%
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%
South Carolina
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $125,110
- p25
- $102,540
- p75
- $139,930
- p10
- $74,990
- p90
- $171,540
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
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.