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Job outlook for directors, hardware engineering in the United States
Are director, hardware engineering jobs in demand?
Director, hardware engineering job and salary trends over time
Director, hardware engineering jobs over time
Director, hardware engineering job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,843 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,664 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,729 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,569 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,684 | 0.00% |
Average director, hardware engineering salary over time
Director, hardware engineering salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $182,954 | $87.96 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $177,203 | $85.19 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $172,224 | $82.80 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $168,504 | $81.01 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $164,846 | $79.25 | +1.5% |
Director, hardware engineering jobs by state
Most common states for directors, hardware engineering
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 220 | 32% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 833 | 26% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 733 | 24% |
| 4 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 908 | 19% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,157 | 17% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 183 | 17% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 163 | 17% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,148 | 16% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 669 | 16% |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 637 | 16% |
| 11 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 472 | 16% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 124 | 16% |
| 13 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 716 | 15% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 451 | 15% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 195 | 15% |
| 16 | Alaska | 739,795 | 112 | 15% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 86 | 15% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,161 | 14% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 763 | 14% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 133 | 13% |
Most common cities for directors, hardware engineering
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $133,448 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $145,677 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $159,576 |
| 4 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $175,984 |
| 5 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $181,083 |
| 6 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $153,464 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $163,399 |
| 8 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $183,501 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $155,300 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $149,167 |
| 11 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $185,174 |
| 12 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $156,567 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $138,679 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $160,416 |
| 15 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $156,401 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $145,539 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $183,325 |
| 18 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $173,065 |
Director, Hardware Engineering job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director, hardware engineering experts
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
University of Maryland - College Park
Chapman University
Clemson University
York College of Pennsylvania
California State University - Sacramento
University of Pittsburgh
What will help Directors, Hardware Engineering increase their earning potential?
Yi Yang PhD: First of all, be really good at what you do. Always negotiate for a higher salary based on your qualifications and market value. Additionally, consider exploring opportunities in management and actively contribute to strategic decision-making. Taking calculated risks, such as joining a startup, can also lead to valuable experiences and skill development that can enhance your earning potential in the long run.
What Director, Hardware Engineering skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
Donald Yeung
Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science DepartmentUniversity of Maryland - College Park
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What skills stand out on Director, Hardware Engineering resumes?
Donald Yeung: A degree at a highly rated engineering school is always a plus. For example, the ECE dept at UMD has a good reputation among local employers as well as employers elsewhere, such as Silicon Valley. Many of our students go to companies in these areas, and so we have a reputation based on the quality of students that go out. I think employers know what they're getting. Beyond the school from which you receive your degree, your GPA is also important. How well you do in the program you come from is important, too, obviously. And employers also know about grade inflation or deflation at different schools, so they can calibrate any student's GPA against what experience they've had with previous students' records. Besides that, employers also look for experience outside of the degree program, so internships, research experiences, any significant project experience, etc., are also a real plus.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors, Hardware Engineering?
Donald Yeung: In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.
What soft skills should all Directors, Hardware Engineering possess?
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Good communication skills
-Ability to exercise critical thinking and innovative problem solving
-Able to work under supervision and mentoring
-Works well in a team-oriented environment
Dr. John Ballato
J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and ProfessorClemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
What skills will help Directors, Hardware Engineering earn the most?
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorYork College of Pennsylvania
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Hardware Engineering job market given the pandemic?
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: Engineering jobs will still be available. Some companies are struggling in the pandemic, but some are thriving. Our students are still able to find co-ops, and our graduates are still finding jobs. The market has slowed a bit, but not as much as I expected. Rather, we see a shift in job availability as the need for different technologies changes. Most of our summer 2020 graduating seniors found jobs. It took more time for some of them to secure employment than typical, but their ultimate success rate was higher than I would have anticipated in such an uncertain time. Going forward, I think the need for engineering jobs will gradually increase to levels higher than pre-pandemic. Consider the Biden administration's ambitious infrastructure goals. These alone will place increased demand on engineering, but they are also a broader indicator of society's increased need for innovation and product development. The push for vehicle electrification will provide many new job opportunities in that staple industry.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Director, Hardware Engineering job market given the pandemic?
Steven Fernandez: No sure, with respect to mechanical engineering there is so many variables as to what new trends ME grads can experience. One of the greatest challenges Mechanical Engineering students face is the broadness of the field of study they have chosen. Surprisingly, many ME grads find themselves at a bit of a loss as to what carrier path to choose when they finally get their degree. As a mechanical engineer you can be designing anything from a supersonic missile, to a food processing line, in multiple functions. Mechanical engineers can be project engineers, design engineers, operation engineers, or manufacturing engineers with all options in just one industrial field. Each industrial field is affected differently by the pandemic. Take Space X, Google, Amazon, and Raytheon which are all industries ME's work in. These company seem to be doing the same if not better during the pandemic. How about the bicycle industry? With more families at home looking for activities there is a backlog of bicycles as the manufacturers cannot keep up with the orders. Try and order a NordicTrack treadmill, or a concept-2 rowing machine and you will be put on a waiting list due to the shortage of supply. Mechanical engineers work in all these industries. On the flip side look at some industries tied to travel and vacation. Yes, Boeing took a hit because of their 737 planes being grounded, but also because of the massive decrease in flight travel. So, all that said, I would say the pandemic trend for now would follow the course as such; industries which are negatively affected due to the loss of public activities will continue to struggle or have slow growth, while other industries where the mass public has been redirected will flourish and grow.
What experience really stands out on Director, Hardware Engineering resumes?
Matthew Barry Ph.D.: What really stands out on a resume to me is anything related to hands-on experience. I honestly prefer students and potential employees that have hands-on experience and ok grade point averages (GPAs) compared to students with high GPAs and no hands-on experience. And this hands-on experience does not have to come from internships or co-ops, but could be the result of participating in clubs, or being part of a Makerspace, either as a mentor, or a user.