Benefits of Computer Engineering Careers

by Aurelio Locsin, studioD

Professionals in computer engineering, called hardware engineers or computer engineers, create and test the physical components of computer systems, such as circuits, chips and boxes, as well as peripherals, such as routers, keyboards and printers. Their developments are used in many industries, including telecommunications, entertainment, and computer manufacturing. The career offers many advantages over other jobs.


Computer hardware engineers earned high salaries, averaging $101,360 per year, or $48.73 per hour, as of May 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even the lowest-paid 10 percent made up to $62,400 per year, or $30 hourly, while the top earners reached or exceeded $147,610 yearly, or $70.97 per hour. These earnings were well above the average of $45,230 per year, or $21.74 per hour, for all occupations in the country. The wages of the engineers were also above the mean salaries of all computer and math occupations, which were an annual $78,730, or $37.85. They were also above the averages for all engineering jobs, which ran $77,120 yearly, or $37.08 hourly.


Six-figure salaries are achievable after many years of education, such as for lawyers, who require four years of law school after college, or for doctors, who have four years of medical schools, and three to eight years of residency. Computer engineers can start on the high-earning path with only a four-year bachelor’s degree for most entry-level positions. A master’s degree can increase pay by 16 percent, according to the 2011 degree salary survey by Georgetown University. Students also develop the useful skill of computer programming, since software knowledge is needed for engineers to get their computer hardware components to function. In addition, they can gain practical experience in school through internships or co-ops.


Professionals in computer engineering will not want for jobs, with an expected average growth rate of 9 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the statistics bureau. Though the outsourcing of computer manufacturing to foreign countries may affect employment, many companies are now contracting out their hardware designs. This provides opportunities for those working in computer consulting firms. From their present positions, hardware engineers who gain experience or show administrative acumen can become computer managers, who enjoy greater challenges, more responsibility, and higher pay. As of 2011, computer managers made an average $129,350 per year, or $62.29 per hour.


Computer engineering careers are admired as being on the forefront of technology, influencing such developments as the processing power of tablets, the entertainment capabilities of cell phones, and the speed of financial transactions. As with other engineering jobs, the job is considered prestigious, providing intellectual development and challenging work in a professional environment. Hardware engineers require creative thinking to come up with technological and scientific discoveries that affect everyday consumers. What they do benefits society and the country’s ability to remain competitive on the global stage.

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