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Job outlook for hardware engineering interns in the United States
Hardware engineering internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected hardware engineering internship job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 3,700 new jobs for hardware engineering interns are projected over the next decade.
Hardware engineering internship salaries have increased 4% for hardware engineering interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 32,772 hardware engineering interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 100,276 active hardware engineering internship job openings in the US.
The average hardware engineering internship salary is $63,154.
Are hardware engineering internship jobs in demand?
Hardware engineering internship job and salary trends over time
Hardware engineering internship jobs over time
Hardware engineering internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32,772 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 28,755 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 30,164 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 26,995 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 29,670 | 0.01% |
Average hardware engineering internship salary over time
Hardware engineering internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,154 | $30.36 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $61,918 | $29.77 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $60,534 | $29.10 | --0.5% |
| 2022 | $60,809 | $29.24 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | $60,788 | $29.22 | +3.0% |
Hardware engineering internship jobs by state
Most common states for hardware engineering interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 214 | 31% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 160 | 17% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,103 | 16% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 119 | 16% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,092 | 15% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 155 | 15% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 109 | 15% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 769 | 14% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 192 | 14% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 84 | 14% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 765 | 13% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 410 | 13% |
| 13 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 216 | 13% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 133 | 13% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,050 | 12% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 420 | 12% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 608 | 11% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 204 | 11% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 151 | 11% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 100 | 11% |
Most common cities for hardware engineering interns
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 6 | 22% | $43,161 |
| 2 | Dover | 6 | 16% | $60,207 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 6 | 15% | $70,815 |
| 4 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $63,272 |
| 5 | Lansing | 7 | 6% | $50,549 |
| 6 | Springfield | 5 | 4% | $56,642 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 6 | 3% | $57,703 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 6 | 3% | $62,061 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 4 | 2% | $54,760 |
| 10 | Montgomery | 4 | 2% | $60,715 |
| 11 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $57,870 |
| 12 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $70,054 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 7 | 1% | $51,861 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $57,957 |
| 15 | Urban Honolulu | 5 | 1% | $56,500 |
| 16 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $60,638 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $67,152 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 7 | 0% | $57,788 |
Hardware Engineering Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of hardware engineering internship experts
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
SUNY College at New Paltz
East Tennessee State University
University of Connecticut
Hope College
Wilkes University
Robert Morris University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Boston College
Miami Dade College Padrón Campus
Duquesne University
Idaho State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
SUNY College
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware Engineering Interns?
Stuart Bernstein Ph.D.: The pandemic hit us unexpectedly, unlike the last two recessions the construction industry managed to survive. I point that out to say that leading up to the pandemic, the industries and customers we normally built for were still planning and designing projects, expecting them to continue. Much of the industry, that I am aware of, has continued to build, albeit with sparser workforces, which would indicate there should still be a lot of work to catch up on when the pandemic clears.
On the other side of that argument, businesses are finding they are functioning effectively with their employees working remotely. This could trigger them to reduce, or nearly eliminate, their need for physical plants in the future. This, in turn, could leave a lot of current spaces vacant, triggering a slow down on building new, and increasing rehab. If this does happen, there will be an even bigger demand for mega data centers, and, of course, there is still a need for medical facilities, assisted living, and retirement homes.
What technical skills for a Hardware Engineering Internship stand out to employers?
Stuart Bernstein Ph.D.: I have found that employers want their new hires to have at least a working knowledge of, and familiarity with, all of the technical skills, such as estimating, scheduling, surveying and document control. More importantly, though, they are looking for people with interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills. They want people who will fit well with the personality of company, who will be able to work well with others, who can solve problems on their own and with the help of others, and who can communicate well with people from all different walks of life, and professions, including owners.
Kevin Shanley Ph.D.
Associate Professor & ChairSUNY College at New Paltz
Division of Engineering Programs
What's a day at work look like for a Hardware Engineering Internship?
Kevin Shanley Ph.D.: Work is going to be a blend of in person and virtual meetings. I suspect this will continue well into the future. I suspect that travel will decrease. While COVID-19 has its grip on us, workers will likely rotate days in and out of the office. Some new hires may go months if not years without meeting some colleagues in person.
What technical skills for a Hardware Engineering Internship stand out to employers?
Kevin Shanley Ph.D.: Critical thinking and problem solving are still the big draws. Obviously, employers are looking for flexible team players now more than ever.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware Engineering Interns?
Kevin Shanley Ph.D.: Yes, I think the effects will stay with all of us for quite some time.
Jared Wilson
Assistant Professor and Faculty CoordinatorEast Tennessee State University
Surveying and Mapping
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Hardware Engineering Interns?
Jared Wilson: The goal for the surveying and mapping program at East Tennessee State University is to educate students in the field of land surveying and mapping. The hope is that the students find gainful employment in that field and obtaining professional licensure, in a given state, is a significant motivator for employers. However, a significant factor that I have noticed is the successful passing of the Fundamentals of Surveying, FS, exam in conjunction with the four-year degree. This combination of education and successful completion of the first hurdle in examinations, seems to open many doors for job seekers in the field of surveying and mapping.
What's a good job out of college for Hardware Engineering Interns?
Jared Wilson: Within the field of land surveying and related employment opportunities, work is available. However, in my experience, work may not be in the exact location a person wishes to live. So, a move may be necessary, or potentially traveling to where the work is located. Should a graduate, or person for that matter, want to work, work is available.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware Engineering Internship job market given the pandemic?
Jared Wilson: The information I have been provided is positive, when the outlook is concerning the workload job market, that is being performed by the professional land surveying and geomatic industry. Land surveying, and subsequently land surveyors, have been deemed essential; thus, work is still being performed. The profession, as a whole, is driven highly by the status of the economy, and in the current economic state, the current workload is in demand. Thus, graduates should be able to find gainful employment regardless of the impact COVID-19 has. As with all professions, adaptation is necessary, and the profession is adapting well.
What technical skills for a Hardware Engineering Internship stand out to employers?
Yupeng Chen Ph.D.: Impacted by the pandemic, employers will prefer candidates who can work remotely and communicate effectively in a virtual office environment, so it is very important for candidates to get familiar with general office software as well as commonly used virtual communication platforms.
Ned Nielsen
Professor of Engineering DesignHope College
Engineering Department
What experience really stands out on Hardware Engineering Internship resumes?
Ned Nielsen: Employers are looking for engineering graduates who have had an internship and who have some type of international experience. Since not many engineering graduates have international experience, those who do are highly sought after.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware Engineering Interns?
Robert Taylor: It is difficult to guess what impact C-19 will have, since we are still in the middle of it. To date, companies are still hiring EE graduates. Many companies are still working face-to-face (F2F) and are using social distancing and other acceptable protocols. Graduating seniors last and this year have taken many hands-on labs and therefore are prepared for the hands-on work environment. For future graduating classes, which have participated in more remote learning and "artificial" or simulated lab environments, they may experience some issues going from the remote to hands-on environment. On the other hand, those students would be better prepared for simulations (and gaming) better than the previous classes. Many schools, and ours included, are trying to prepare the engineering students for both the simulated AND the F2F labs by using simulations and sending kits to the students for home practice labs. The jury is still out on the "home lab" results!
What's a day at work look like for a Hardware Engineering Internship?
Robert Taylor: For the recent graduate, the day at work will be a continuation of C-19 protocol. That will not change until we obtain "herd immunity" for C-19. That said, however, we all still get the normal flu and its mutations and we get the common cold, also a coronavirus. The good news is that the C-19 exercise has re-taught us the necessity for germ prevention...staying at home when we are sick, using better protocols for cleaning of hands & surfaces, and "social distancing." I do also think that the recent graduate will be prepared for his new "days at work" based on the discussions I have had with last year's graduates and their employers. One must remember, we are preparing students for the academic and practical needs of engineering students!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware Engineering Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Benjamin Campbell Ph.D.: I have heard from CEOs and Presidents of companies that have embraced working from home and are considering keeping this arrangement for several of their work groups, even after the pandemic. Allowing remote work decreases the need for expensive office space (especially in high rent areas like Silicon Valley or New York City) and virtual meetings cut travel costs. A company can recruit worldwide and invite a prospective employee to live anywhere that has a high speed internet connection. Employees value the flexibility, comfort, and non-existent commute of working from home. There are sectors where managers and their teams have adjusted well to working remotely. As long as the productivity doesn't suffer, I feel this trend will continue.
For those recent graduates entertaining the workforce, they will need to demonstrate the ability to work remotely, and manage their own schedule when they don't have an office structure surrounding them. This can be conveyed in an interview by talking about their online education during the pandemic, and the work ethic they developed managing a course load of synchronous or asynchronous online courses with individual and group assignments. An internship that required working remotely is another great talking point in an interview. Discuss a typical day on that job, the technical challenges faced and the solutions developed under the adverse circumstances of the pandemic.
What's a good job out of college for Hardware Engineering Interns?
Dr. Benjamin Campbell Ph.D.: For the recent graduates, I recommend you get any job that challenges you, where you can build experience relevant for your desired career. It's rare to find your dream job right out of college, but a savvy engineer can identify jobs opportunities that will promote skill building and mobility for motivated employees. Ask the interviewer if there is support available for continuous improvement; inquire about training across the organization to better understand how the company functions. Beware of jobs that confine you to a very limited and repetitive role. If the job isn't challenging, you likely aren't growing as an employee or building your resume for the job you want. Also, work the current job like it's your dream job. Many promising candidates have lost offers when references are checked and previous employers give lackluster assessments. Always keep an eye to the future by watching for new opportunities; build out your network with the people you meet through work, professional organizations and networking events. Very few people perfectly fit a job description; take a chance interviewing if you feel you can develop the job skills you lack but don't exaggerate your qualifications to compensate. Don't be afraid to make a change if you aren't happy in your current job, but avoid burning bridges on the way out. Another option for recent graduates is to seek out a promising start-up and offer to work for lower pay in exchange for equity in the company. At this point in your life you probably have the low expenses (other than college loans) and ample free time (if you are single with no kids and no mortgage) that you could direct into working the long hours needed to make a startup successful. A small company requires employees to wear many hats while working with other motivated people in a high risk but high reward environment. If the company fails or you burn out, take your experience and move on. If the company is successful, your equity will minimize your financial concerns while you decide what your next job should be.
What technical skills for a Hardware Engineering Internship stand out to employers?
Dr. Benjamin Campbell Ph.D.: When I talk to employers of engineers two key skills tend to stand out: problem solving skills and communication skills. These skills are very difficult to develop quickly on the job, but a new employee that can demonstrate strength in these two areas can quickly integrate into a team or train into a job that requires specific technical skills. Communication skills can be assessed verbally during the interview. If it's a virtual interview for a remote job, present yourself like you will be representing their company: professional dress, clean and unclutters backdrop, practice eye contact into the camera with clear speech, and make sure there are no external distractions or noises (pets, roommates, etc). Sometimes the interviewer will request an impromptu writing sample. Communication skills can also be assessed before the interview with how quickly and professionally a prospective employee responds to the company's requests for information. Problem solving skills are often assessed by asking the job candidate about a difficult technical problem they faced and the how they solved it. Be prepared with several examples in mind and prioritize them by the tasks that are most relevant to the job description or the interests of the interviewer. Having a portfolio on hand or some unique visual aids can leave a distinct impression; and if virtual, have files readily accessible if you need to screen share but have an uncluttered desktop and inoffensive computer wallpaper. Some interviewers will assess both problem solving and communication skills simultaneously through role playing the solving of a technical problem or asking for a pseudo-code solution to a programming task.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Hardware Engineering Interns?
Kristen Labazzo Ph.D.: Having a solid core academic foundation is always important, and certificates can be useful, but I think for industry preparedness, a co-op or internship is the best experience. Experiential learning truly immerses you in the environment, and puts all of the academic learnings into context.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware Engineering Internship job market given the pandemic?
Janet Kolodner Ph.D.: It looks like the new government will make a lot of public service and infrastructure positions available. That's good. There will be jobs up and down the ladder-administration, management, craft work, etc. People who are feeling entrepreneurial might start businesses in areas where businesses have closed down; we've lost a lot of small businesses: retail, restaurants, personal services. Those who owned many of those businesses won't want to start again; there will be lots of room for new blood as we become more vaccinated as a population and ready to eat out and get our nails and hair done, go on vacations, and buy things we've put off.
What Hardware Engineering Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Janet Kolodner Ph.D.: Communication skills, collaboration skills, imagination skills, project skills, computational (computer) skills related to what they are interested in doing. There are plenty of online classes for computaional skills; communication, collaboration, project, and imagination come through getting involved with others on projects. Getting involved in something that helps them feel a sense of purpose and that has them working towards goals with others will do the trick.
What general advice would you give to a Hardware Engineering Internship?
Janet Kolodner Ph.D.: I know people need to eat and have a roof over their heads. The important thing, however, is to not settle for the wrong thing too soon. People should think about what they enjoy and what gives them a feeling of purpose, think about what they might want to accomplish over a lifetime (or in the next 5 or 10 years), and make sure they choose to do something that will put them on that path. Or, if they don't know what they want to accomplish, they should think hard about the joy they might get (or not) from a position and the extent to which it uses their strengths well. They shouldn't be afraid to try out something they haven't thought about if they are thinking it could offer possibilities of enjoyment and accomplishment. We can't all do exactly what we think we will be doing, but we often can make the most of what's available.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware Engineering Interns?
Dr. Diego Tibaquirá: I'm not sure enduring, but there will things that will probably be done differently. How people communicate and work might be different. Telecommuting and Remote work might become more prominent and permanent. Creating a viable way to ensure the job is done remotely will be more of a permanent change, and new graduates will need to be prepared for this environment.
What type of skills will young Hardware Engineering Interns need?
Dr. Diego Tibaquirá: Great communication skills in a remote setting. How to interact and collaborate while not being in the same space at the same time. Organizational skills to be able to stay on task and perform their jobs in a hybrid format (face-to-face combined with remote).
What experience really stands out on Hardware Engineering Internship resumes?
Dr. Diego Tibaquirá: Manage to get some hands-on experience and Industry Certifications. Internships can help a resume stand out. Having recognized Industry Certifications add to the experience and knowledge recognition that candidates are prepared for the job. Just like everyone else, Industry Certification can now be done via remote proctoring so students can upskill at a distance.
Dr. Melikhan Tanyeri Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical EngineeringDuquesne University
Department of Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware Engineering Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Melikhan Tanyeri Ph.D.: Jobs that allow working remotely will be popular. This would allow young professionals to choose a career which provide them with the flexibility to relocate. It would enable people to live in more affordable cities/states, and raise their family there. Some cities already started to provide incentives for young professionals to move and work remotely. It will also accelerate automation and digitization of a variety of industries, leading to new job categories, especially related to machine learning and artificial intelligence. Healthcare and public health will continue to be another focal point in the near future.
What skills stand out on Hardware Engineering Internship resumes?
Dr. Melikhan Tanyeri Ph.D.: Problem-solving, flexibility, adaptability, interpersonal skills, leadership, teamwork, technical/computer skills
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Hardware Engineering Interns to find work opportunities?
Dr. Melikhan Tanyeri Ph.D.: Several cities/regions appear to be hotspots: Bay Area, Boston, Seattle, Austin, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, DC, Research Triangle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.
Dr. Mustafa Mashal Ph.D.
Civil EngineerIdaho State University
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
What type of skills will young Hardware Engineering Interns need?
Dr. Mustafa Mashal Ph.D.: Taken all design classes, graduated from an ABET accredited engineering program, familiar with engineering software, taken the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam, Engineer-In-Training status, and master's degree
What experience really stands out on Hardware Engineering Internship resumes?
Dr. Mustafa Mashal Ph.D.: Research work in the labs, internships outside the campus, student competitions, student chapter membership/extra curricular activities, scholarly work, presentation in technical conferences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware Engineering Interns?
Dr. Mustafa Mashal Ph.D.: I do not think the pandemic will have an enduring impact on engineering graduates. Not sure about other fields.
What skills stand out on Hardware Engineering Internship resumes?
Dr. Bruce DeRuntz Ph.D.: There are three skills that I think will be the most valuable: mastery of online collaboration, interpersonal skills, and taking initiative.
Many of the organizations today are adapting to online meetings and work, but aren't very good at mastering the new online meeting platforms and integrated tools. This is where new grads can excel. Just as everyone lists MS Office as a skill, the graduate who can demonstrate that they can make an organization more productive by having a mastery, and not just a proficiency, of online meeting platform. Employers have been asking for people with interpersonal skills for a decade because building trusting relatinships are what gets work done. Moving online only exacerbates this relationship problem. I believe that this current generation has potential to pivot off of their social media experiences but they won't be able to ghost their co-workers when conflict arrises. Taking initiative is the third skill that organizations value especially during these times. Because they are trying to figure out how to work remotely and develop new business processes, they will have less time for hand holding with new employees. New graduates who understant that they have a tremendous opportunity to excel when they take the initiative to go beyond what is expected of them and help their managers create business solutions to the new work environment.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Hardware Engineering Interns to find work opportunities?
Dr. Bruce DeRuntz Ph.D.: If you are speaking of geographical locations, the south and southwest continue to be growing faster than the rest of the country and provide more opportunities. With the pandemic, companies are hoping to capitolize on having employees who can work remotely so they can capitalize on attracting talent who get to live wherever they want to and they don't have to provide office space for them. My best advice to a new graduate is to be flexible. Demonstrate to your new employer that you are ready to adapt to their needs and can bring value with minimum guidance.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Hardware Engineering Interns to find work opportunities?
Klaus Dölle: Our graduates have no problems finding a well-paid job in the U.S. Paper Engineers are in high demand. More Paper Engineers are needed by the industry than Universities can produce. Currently, starting salary is around $70k.