RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs Virginia

Occupation

Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In Virginia, $139,030. After cost-of-living, the gap is 21.6% — not 33.2%.

Nominal pay gap
+33.2%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+21.6%
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%
See full breakdown for California

Virginia

Computer Hardware Engineers

Median
$139,030
p25
$105,820
p75
$175,140
p10
$87,630
p90
$195,290
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
Hiring velocity (180d)
-67%
See full breakdown for Virginia

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.