Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky computer hardware engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $97,280 and $126,180, with a median of $116,200.
Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $185,700. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $62,400 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $185,700 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $118,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Data Services, Inc | Cloud HDE III | 2 | $185,700 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES, INC. | CLOUD HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER III | 1 | $185,700 |
| Sonos, Inc. | Service Engineer | 1 | $118,000 |
| WiLO Networks Inc | Computer Hardware Engineer | 1 | $62,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Service Engineer at Sonos, Inc.$118,000LouisvilleWage Level IVDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26030-610567
- CLOUD HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER III at AMAZON DATA SERVICES, INC.$185,700FLORENCEWage Level IIIDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-500796
- Cloud HDE III at Amazon Data Services, Inc$185,700FlorenceWage Level IIIDecided Dec 26, 2025I-200-25352-492937
- Computer Hardware Engineer at WiLO Networks Inc$62,400LexingtonWage Level IDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25167-098327
- Cloud HDE III at Amazon Data Services, Inc$185,700FlorenceWage Level IIIDecided Dec 24, 2025I-200-25351-491694
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Computer Hardware Engineers pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $185,700.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Amazon Data Services, Inc | 3 | $185,700 |
| Manufacturing | Sonos, Inc. | 1 | $118,000 |
| Retail and wholesale | AMAZON DATA SERVICES, INC. | 1 | $185,700 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- 02
Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- 03
Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- 04
Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- 05
Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
- 06
Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
- 07
Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
- 08
Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.3%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for computer hardware engineers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$126,180
Compare Computer Hardware Engineers pay across nearby states
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky is $116,200.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Computer Hardware Engineers?
- The Kentucky median is -24.4% versus the BLS national figure of $153,735.
- What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $71,400 and the 90th-percentile at $128,050, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Computer Hardware Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.3% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Computer Hardware Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.