Computer Hardware Engineers
SOC Code: 17-2061 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Computer Hardware Engineers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medford, OR | $171,808 | $191,859 | $211,890 | $231,941 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,238 | $176,696 | $203,133 | $229,590 |
| Merced, CA | $149,968 | $176,467 | $202,966 | $229,466 |
| Fresno, CA | $149,864 | $176,384 | $202,883 | $229,403 |
| Salinas, CA | $149,635 | $176,176 | $202,738 | $229,278 |
| Modesto, CA | $142,896 | $169,707 | $196,518 | $223,330 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $140,712 | $167,378 | $194,064 | $220,730 |
| Chico, CA | $124,634 | $153,858 | $183,061 | $212,285 |
| Napa, CA | $124,634 | $153,858 | $183,061 | $212,285 |
| Redding, CA | $124,634 | $153,858 | $183,061 | $212,285 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Quasistatics Inc. | 2 | $105,000 |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | 2 | $220,354 |
| Winner, LLC | 1 | $210,000 |
| Grey Orange Incorporated | 1 | $68,571 |
| Scada Access, Inc. dba: CyberReef Solutions, Inc. | 1 | $90,500 |
| VENTANA MICRO SYSTEMS INC. | 1 | $175,000 |
| LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION | 1 | $191,040 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | $175,000 |
| 2021 | 1 | $90,500 |
| 2022 | 1 | $210,000 |
| 2023 | 1 | $215,000 |
| 2024 | 2 | $147,140 |
| 2025 | 3 | $133,680 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | |
| Writing | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Active Learning | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.4 | |
| Operations Analysis | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Computers and Electronics | 4.7 |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.7 |
| Mathematics | 4.1 |
| Design | 4.1 |
| English Language | 3.8 |
| Physics | 3.4 |
| Telecommunications | 3.1 |
| Education and Training | 2.9 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 48.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 34.5% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Post-first professional | 6.9% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 3.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
- Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
- Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Apache Subversion SVN Autodesk AutoCAD C C++ Git Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Visual Basic Oracle Java Perl Python
Calculate your wage level for Computer Hardware Engineers →
Advertisement
H-1B Guides & Resources
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.