Best cities for a computer hardware designer
The best cities for computer hardware designers are San Francisco, CA, Wichita, KS, and Oakland, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for computer hardware designers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for computer hardware designers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a computer hardware designer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for computer hardware designers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for computer hardware designers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a computer hardware designer. While the absolute best city for computer hardware designers is San Francisco, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for computer hardware designers in 2024.
If you're looking for a computer hardware designer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for computer hardware designers in 2026
1. San Francisco, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $152,654 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 5.71 2. Wichita, KS
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $130,835 Lowest 10 percent warn: $90,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Oakland, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,540 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Seattle, WA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $161,415 Lowest 10 percent warn: $115,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $224,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Sacramento, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,505 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Fremont, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,268 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $214,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Albuquerque, NM
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $129,359 Lowest 10 percent warn: $91,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $183,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Stockton, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,164 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $213,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. San Jose, CA
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $152,068 Lowest 10 percent warn: $108,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $213,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. El Paso, TX
Total computer hardware designer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $123,262 Lowest 10 percent warn: $85,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $177,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for computer hardware designers
- San Francisco, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Sacramento, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Stockton, CA
- San Jose, CA
- El Paso, TX
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Detailed list of the best cities for a computer hardware designer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $152,654 | $108,000 | 870,887 | 4 |
| 2 | Wichita, KS | $130,835 | $90,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $152,540 | $108,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $161,415 | $115,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $152,505 | $108,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $152,268 | $108,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $129,359 | $91,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $152,164 | $108,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 9 | San Jose, CA | $152,068 | $108,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $123,262 | $85,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 11 | Scottsdale, AZ | $124,439 | $87,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 12 | Glendale, AZ | $124,418 | $87,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $124,406 | $87,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 14 | Lubbock, TX | $122,222 | $84,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $150,579 | $106,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Mesa, AZ | $123,840 | $87,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 17 | Irving, TX | $118,994 | $81,000 | 238,289 | 6 |
| 18 | Chandler, AZ | $123,763 | $87,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 19 | Fort Worth, TX | $119,153 | $81,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 20 | Gilbert, AZ | $123,705 | $86,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 21 | Arlington, TX | $118,987 | $81,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 22 | Chicago, IL | $128,348 | $89,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 23 | Plano, TX | $118,951 | $81,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 24 | Dallas, TX | $118,852 | $81,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 25 | Bakersfield, CA | $148,011 | $104,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $121,565 | $85,000 | 530,706 | 2 |
| 27 | Garland, TX | $118,845 | $81,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 28 | Austin, TX | $117,483 | $79,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 29 | Long Beach, CA | $143,357 | $100,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 30 | Anaheim, CA | $143,219 | $100,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 31 | Los Angeles, CA | $144,366 | $101,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 32 | Riverside, CA | $142,897 | $100,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 33 | San Antonio, TX | $116,569 | $78,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $142,891 | $100,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 35 | Irvine, CA | $142,576 | $100,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 36 | Oklahoma City, OK | $111,877 | $77,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 37 | Denver, CO | $128,174 | $90,000 | 693,060 | - |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $115,498 | $76,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 39 | Aurora, CO | $128,083 | $90,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 40 | Colorado Springs, CO | $127,917 | $90,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 41 | Boston, MA | $127,649 | $86,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 42 | Laredo, TX | $113,062 | $74,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 43 | Anchorage, AK | $121,841 | $90,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 44 | Corpus Christi, TX | $112,609 | $73,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 45 | Tulsa, OK | $110,372 | $76,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 46 | Philadelphia, PA | $108,200 | $74,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 47 | Pittsburgh, PA | $107,283 | $73,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 48 | San Diego, CA | $138,915 | $97,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 49 | Chula Vista, CA | $138,332 | $97,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 50 | Portland, OR | $120,375 | $86,000 | 639,863 | - |
Highest paying cities for computer hardware designers
| Rank | City | Avg. computer hardware designer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $152,654 |
| 2 | Sunnyvale, CA | $152,230 |
| 3 | Cupertino, CA | $152,195 |
| 4 | Pasadena, CA | $144,408 |
| 5 | Albuquerque, NM | $129,359 |
| 6 | Rolling Meadows, IL | $128,498 |
| 7 | Mansfield, MA | $127,859 |
| 8 | Shelburne, VT | $126,340 |
| 9 | Tucson, AZ | $121,565 |
| 10 | Irving, TX | $118,994 |
| 11 | Moorestown, NJ | $118,084 |
| 12 | Holmdel, NJ | $117,856 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $116,605 |
| 14 | Rochester, NY | $116,551 |
| 15 | Auburn Hills, MI | $91,810 |
| 16 | Flint, MI | $91,766 |
| 17 | Melbourne, FL | $89,090 |
Computer hardware designer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025