RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Computer Hardware Engineers salary in Richmond, Virginia

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Richmond metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$125,350
Mean annual$126,130
Range (10th to 90th)$79,730 to $180,280
Richmond, Virginia employment100
State vs national-18.9% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Richmond computer hardware engineers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$79,73025TH$83,420MEDIAN$125,35075TH$153,70090TH$180,280

The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,420 and $153,700, with a median of $125,350.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Design

    Knowledge

    4.1 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.0 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.

  2. 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.

  3. 03

    Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.

  4. 04

    Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.

  5. 05

    Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.

  6. 06

    Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.

  7. 07

    Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.

  8. 08

    Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.

Sponsored

Build the skills employers list for Computer Hardware Engineers

Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.

Explore courses

Other metros in Virginia

How the Richmond metro compares to other major Virginia metro areas for computer hardware engineers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Computer Hardware Engineers in Richmond, Virginia?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in the Richmond metropolitan area is $125,350.
Does Richmond pay more than the Virginia state average for Computer Hardware Engineers?
The Richmond metro median is -10.2% versus the Virginia state median of $139,570.
How does Richmond compare to the national median for Computer Hardware Engineers?
The Richmond metro median is -18.9% versus the BLS national figure of $154,616.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers in Richmond?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,730 and the 90th-percentile at $180,280 for the Richmond metro area.
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.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Richmond CBSA boundary 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.