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Computer Hardware Engineers in South Carolina

Computer Hardware Engineers in South Carolina

Want to work as a Computer Hardware Engineers in South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. Excludes “Software Developers” (15-1252) and “Web Developers” (15-1254).

What do Computer Hardware Engineers Make in South Carolina?

For a computer hardware engineers working in South Carolina, wages run about $119,010 per year (or about $57.21/hour).Annual wages span from $61,490 at the 10th percentile to $182,660 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $61,490 $29.56
25th percentile $86,990 $41.82
Median (50th) $119,010 $57.21
75th percentile $156,080 $75.04
90th percentile $182,660 $87.82
Salary ranges for Computer Hardware Engineers in South Carolina

The job concentration index in South Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.46, indicating fewer computer hardware engineers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, computer hardware engineers earn a median of $63,909 per year ($30.73/hour), exceeding the South Carolina median.

Computer Hardware Engineers earnings in South Carolina vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 370,152 computer hardware engineers across the United States. In South Carolina alone, about 510 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 510.

Computer Hardware Engineers in South Carolina vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Computer Hardware Engineers

Top South Carolina Metros for Computer Hardware Engineers

These are the South Carolina metros with the most computer hardware engineers in South Carolina.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Charleston-North Charleston, SC 230 $120,810
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC 50 $117,290
Columbia, SC 30 $101,780

Top States for Computer Hardware Engineers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most computer hardware engineers work.

State Number Employed
California 24,200
Arizona 3,390
Texas 3,380
Massachusetts 3,350
Colorado 2,920
Florida 2,890
New York 2,500
Maryland 2,420
Virginia 1,840
Illinois 1,500
Michigan 1,440
Washington 1,370
North Carolina 1,250
Pennsylvania 940
Idaho 820
Alabama 800
Ohio 790
New Jersey 690
Missouri 580
Minnesota 560

Highest-Paying States for Computer Hardware Engineers

The highest-paying states for computer hardware engineers.

State Annual Median Salary
Connecticut $188,540
California $179,880
Washington $174,070
Massachusetts $170,570
Arizona $163,090
Colorado $162,920
Hawaii $155,390
District of Columbia $153,630
New Hampshire $152,840
New York $141,780

Skills

Key computer hardware engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.9 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  3.9 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Computers and Electronics  4.7 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  4.7 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.1 / 5
0
5
Design  4.1 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.8 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for computer hardware engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
  • Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
  • Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
  • Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
  • Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
  • Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
  • Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
  • Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
  • Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
  • Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
  • Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
  • Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Getting Information
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Processing Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Apache Subversion SVN, Autodesk AutoCAD, C In-demand technologies: C, C++

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

Careers similar to computer hardware engineers include:

Also Known As

Analog Design Engineer, Analog IC Design Engineer (Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer), Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (ASIC Design Engineer), Application Specific Integrated Circuit Design Verification Engineer (ASIC Design Verification Engineer), Computer Designer, Computer Engineer, Computer Hardware Designer, Computer Hardware Developer, Computer Hardware Engineer, Computer Installation Engineer, Computer Tester, Computer Vision Engineer, Design Engineer, Design Verification Engineer, Digital Design Engineer.

References

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