Hardware Manufacturing — Average Employee Salary

The average employee in the hardware manufacturing industry earns $73,920 per year ($35.54/hour), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW data.

$73,920
Avg Annual Pay
24,120
Total Employees
858
Total Establishments
28
Avg Employees/Business

What Do Hardware Manufacturing Workers Earn?

At $73,920/year (equivalent to $35.54/hour for a full-time worker), hardware manufacturing wages are near the national average of ~$65,000.

The typical hardware manufacturing business employs 28 people. These are larger operations where staffing represents a major cost center and management complexity.

Wages as a Percentage of Revenue

13.3%

For the average hardware manufacturing business generating $15.6M/year with 28 employees at $73,920 each, total payroll represents roughly 13.3% of revenue. Labor costs are relatively low compared to revenue — other costs (materials, equipment, overhead) dominate.

What This Means for Business Owners

If you're starting or running a hardware manufacturingbusiness, here's what the wage data means for your bottom line:

  • Per-employee cost: Budget approximately $96,096/year per employee (salary + ~30% for benefits, taxes, and insurance).
  • Typical team size: 28 employees = ~$2,069,760/year in base payroll.
  • Hourly equivalent: $35.54/hour base — factor this into pricing and project estimates.
  • Revenue needed: With average revenue of $15.6M/business, you need strong utilization rates to maintain healthy margins after payroll.

See how these wages compare to total revenue and profit margins.

View full Hardware Manufacturing revenue benchmarks →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do hardware manufacturing employees make?
The average hardware manufacturing employee earns $73,920 per year, which is equivalent to $35.54/hour for a full-time worker (2,080 hours/year). This is above the national average of approximately $65,000.
How many people work in the hardware manufacturing industry?
The hardware manufacturing industry employs 24,120 workers across 858 establishments in the United States. The average business in this industry has approximately 28 employees.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW 2023).