Career Paths From Computer Hardware Engineers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Software DevelopersCareer Change80% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Software Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Software Developers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 16% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$135,980
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerLateral Move75.1% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Electronics Engineers, Except Computer share a similar Transferable Skills profile (75% match). Electronics Engineers, Except Computer sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 19% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$130,220
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Electrical EngineersLateral Move77.7% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Electrical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Electrical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 25% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$120,630
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Information Security AnalystsCareer Change80.4% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Information Security Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Information Security Analysts is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 20% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$129,180
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer Systems AnalystsCareer Change80.9% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Computer Systems Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (81% match). Computer Systems Analysts is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 35% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$105,850
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Mechanical EngineersLateral Move77.5% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Mechanical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Mechanical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 36% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$104,110
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersLateral Move92% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 32% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$109,370
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer Network ArchitectsCareer Change82.4% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Computer Network Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (82% match). Computer Network Architects is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 17% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$134,050
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Aerospace EngineersLateral Move80.2% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Aerospace Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 17% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$134,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database AdministratorsCareer Change79.7% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Database Administrators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Database Administrators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 35% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$104,620
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
PhysicistsCareer Change76.6% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Physicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (77% match). Physicists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 6% higher.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$172,250
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Web DevelopersCareer Change78.4% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Web Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (78% match). Web Developers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 43% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$92,650
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Biochemists and BiophysicistsCareer Change79.9% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Biochemists and Biophysicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (80% match). Biochemists and Biophysicists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$127,410
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansLateral Move76.2% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (76% match). Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 59% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$66,120
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Mechanical DraftersLateral Move76.9% skill match
Computer Hardware Engineers and Mechanical Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (77% match). Mechanical Drafters sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 56% lower.
Current median salary
$161,740
Target median salary
$71,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.