State comparison · 2025
Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs South Dakota
Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In South Dakota, $101,400. After cost-of-living, the gap is 46.2% — not 82.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+82.6%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+46.2%
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 Dakota
Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median
- $101,400
- p25
- $83,340
- p75
- $131,210
- p10
- $78,040
- p90
- $150,110
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.