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State comparison · 2025

Computer Hardware Engineers salary: California vs Washington

Occupation

Computer Hardware Engineers in California earn a median of $185,180. In Washington, $169,120. After cost-of-living, the gap is 5.8% — not 9.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+9.5%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+5.8%
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

Washington

Computer Hardware Engineers

Median
$169,120
p25
$132,070
p75
$210,230
p10
$100,120
p90
$260,210
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
107.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-27%
See full breakdown for Washington

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.