Hardware Engineers

Employers

Approximately 84,100 computer hardware engineers are employed in the United States. Hardware engineers are employed in nearly every industry by small and large corporations alike. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 20 percent of hardware engineers work in computer systems design and related services. About 18 percent work in the semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing field, 16 percent work in research and development firms that specialize in physical, engineering, and life sciences, and about 6 percent are employed in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing.

Jobs are available nationwide, though salary averages, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tend to be higher in San Francisco and San Jose, California, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Note, however, that these cities are notorious for their high cost of living, which, in the end, may offset a higher income.

Starting Out

Education and solid work experience will open industry doors. Though a bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement for most corporate giants, some companies, smaller ones especially, will hire based largely on work experience and practical training. Many computer professionals employed in the computer industry for some time do not have traditional electrical engineering or computer science degrees, but rather moved up on the basis of their work record. However, if you aspire to a management position, or want to work as a teacher, then a college degree is a necessity.

Large computer companies aggressively recruit on campus armed with signing bonuses and other incentives. Employment opportunities are posted in newspaper want ads daily, with some papers devoting a separate section to computer-related positions. The Internet offers a wealth of employment information plus several sites for browsing job openings, or to post your resume. Most companies maintain a Web page where they post employment opportunities or solicit resumes.