Computer Engineering
The hardware — processors, circuit boards, and embedded systems — that software actually runs on.
FIG. 01 — COMPUTER ENGINEERING
What It Is
Computer engineering sits between electrical engineering and computer science, focused on designing the physical hardware that computers and digital devices run on — processors, circuit boards, memory systems, and the embedded systems inside everyday devices. Many computer engineers also write the low-level software (firmware) that runs directly on that hardware, so the field blends circuit design with programming.
What Engineers Work On
Computer engineers design and test computer hardware and related equipment, create schematics for circuits and processors, write and test firmware that runs directly on hardware, and work on making existing systems compatible with new software or components. A lot of the job involves close collaboration with software engineers, since hardware and software have to work together for a device to actually function.
Real-World Examples
- Processors and memory chips inside computers and phones
- Circuit boards inside consumer electronics
- Embedded systems inside cars, appliances, and medical devices
- Network hardware like routers and servers
- Firmware that controls how hardware behaves before an operating system loads
Common Misconceptions
Tap a card to see the reality behind each one.
Myth: It's the same as software engineering.
Reality: Computer engineers design physical hardware and low-level firmware, not typically full applications or websites.
Myth: It's the same as electrical engineering.
Reality: There's real overlap, but computer engineering focuses specifically on computing hardware and the software closest to it, rather than broader electrical systems like power.
Myth: You need to already understand circuits or code before starting.
Reality: Like other engineering fields, this is taught from the ground up during the degree.
A Day in the Life
Expect circuit design software, hardware testing equipment, and writing low-level code in the same day — similar in spirit to electrical engineering, but focused specifically on computing hardware. Testing and documenting results is a significant, recurring part of the job.
One illustrative example day, not a guaranteed schedule — real days vary a lot by employer, role, and industry.
Schematic review
Reviewing a circuit schematic for a new piece of hardware before it goes to prototyping.
Reviewing a circuit schematic for a new piece of hardware before it goes to prototyping.
Writing low-level code that controls how the hardware behaves.
Testing a physical prototype against its technical specifications.
A prototype isn't performing as expected, and it's unclear yet whether the cause is the hardware or the firmware.
Coordinating with software engineers to make sure hardware and software work together correctly.
Updating schematics and specifications to reflect today's changes.
Would you enjoy debugging a problem when you're not even sure yet whether it's a hardware issue or a software issue?
Typical Projects
- Designing a circuit schematic for a new piece of hardware
- Writing firmware that controls how a device's hardware behaves
- Testing a hardware prototype and analyzing why it isn't performing as expected
- Updating a system's design to support a new component or software requirement
Getting Ready
Useful Subjects
- Physics (especially electricity and electronics)
- Calculus
- Any intro to programming, if available
Helpful Skills
- Comfort with both circuit-level thinking and programming, since the field bridges hardware and software
- Careful, methodical debugging, since a hardware bug can be harder to trace than a pure software one
- Patience for detailed technical documentation, since hardware design involves precise schematics and specifications
- Basic familiarity with circuit design and simulation software
Where This Field Shows Up
Industries
- Consumer electronics
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Automotive
- Telecommunications
- Medical devices
- Aerospace and defense
Related Majors
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science (some overlap)
Career Explorer
Hardware Design Engineer
Designs the circuits and physical components inside computing devices.
Firmware Engineer
Writes the low-level code that runs directly on hardware, before a full operating system loads.
Embedded Systems Engineer
Designs the combined hardware and software inside devices like cars, appliances, or medical equipment.
Systems Integration Engineer
Makes sure hardware and software components from different teams work together correctly.
Weighing It Up
Advantages
- Strong, government-tracked job growth — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average
- Blends hardware and software skills, which keeps career options broad
- High demand across many industries, since almost every modern device relies on custom hardware and embedded systems
Challenges
- Requires comfort with both circuit-level electrical concepts and programming, which is a wider skill set than either alone
- Hardware development cycles are often slower than pure software, since physical prototypes take time to build and test
- Debugging can be harder than pure software work, since a problem could be in the hardware, the firmware, or the interaction between them
Things People Dislike
- Slower iteration cycles than software-only work, since hardware changes cost more time and money to test
- Bugs can be genuinely difficult to isolate between hardware and software causes
- Rapid pace of change in the tech industry means constantly learning new tools and standards, similar to software engineering
How Competitive Is It?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% employment growth for computer hardware engineers from 2025 to 2035 — much faster than average for all occupations — with about 4,100 openings projected per year over that decade, driven partly by demand for processors and components in appliances, medical devices, and vehicles. As with any tech-adjacent field, demand can shift with the broader technology industry's economic cycles, so research current hiring trends in your specific region and specialization before making decisions.
What You Could Earn
United States (national median) · May 2025 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last verified: September 2026
This is a U.S. national median across all experience levels, listed under BLS's 'computer hardware engineers' category — not a starting salary, and not adjusted for your region.
What actually affects your salary?
The number above is a national median — the middle point across everyone in the field, not a typical starting salary. What you'd actually earn depends on things this page can't predict for you:
- Location — pay for the same job title can differ a lot by country, state, or even city, often tied to local cost of living.
- Years of experience — entry-level pay is usually well below the median, and typically rises over a career.
- Specialization — some sub-areas within a field pay differently (aerospace vs. general manufacturing, or power systems vs. consumer electronics, for example).
- Industry and company — a large company, a startup, and a government job can pay very differently for similar work.
- Education and licensure — an advanced degree or professional license can affect both which roles you're eligible for and what they pay.
- Economic conditions — hiring markets shift over time, so a number that was accurate a few years ago might not be now.
None of this makes the number above wrong — it's a real, sourced figure. It just means a single number can't tell you what you personally would earn.
Try It Yourself
- Take apart an old, unplugged electronic device (safely) to see its circuit board and components
- Try a beginner microcontroller kit, like Arduino, to make an LED blink on a schedule
- Use a free circuit simulator to design and test a simple circuit
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Am I equally interested in physical circuits and writing code, or do I lean strongly toward one?
- Am I comfortable with slower development cycles than pure software work, since hardware takes longer to test?
- Do I enjoy debugging problems where the cause could be in the hardware, the software, or both?
What Can I Do Next?
Grade level: High school
Grade systems vary by country — pick whichever tab is the closest match for where you are.
Not saved anywhere. (just for this visit — nothing is stored beyond your browser tab).
A project to try
Try a beginner microcontroller project, like making an LED blink on a schedule using simple code.
A tool to learn
Arduino — a widely used, beginner-friendly microcontroller platform that blends hardware and code.
A club or activity
Look into a robotics club or FIRST Tech Challenge team, which often involves both wiring and programming.
How to actually find one near you →