Competition is keen when it comes to looking for computer hardware jobs. Anyone who has recently graduated with a degree and has been looking for a full or part time computer jobs is probably already aware of the fact that the market is not exactly glutted with high paying opportunities. Computer hardware engineers may face tougher competition simply because there have been more degrees than ever granted in this field and because unemployment has been increasing over the past few years.

Although the field of information computer technology always seems to be expanding at an accelerated rate, there are less computer hardware jobs simply because the North American market if facing fierce competition from foreigners. Furthermore, economists are projecting that jobs for computer hardware specialists will increase overseas rather than in Canada and the United States as the foreign market continues to exceed the world's high demand for cheap computer parts.
Unfortunately this trend has caused many to leave their computer hardware jobs and seek managerial positions or another occupation entirely.

The annual median earnings of an employed computer hardware engineer was $72,150. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,490 and $91,730. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $114,880. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers in 2003 for bachelor's degree candidates in computer engineering averaged $51,343 a year; master's degree candidates averaged $64,200.

According to head hunters and employment agencies, the most full time computer hardware jobs and part-time positions were most available in the following fields (from highest paying computer hardware jobs to lowest): semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing and computer systems designs and related services.

There are many positions that are typical of full time computer hardware jobs. For instance, a computer hardware engineer researches, designs, develops, tesst computer hardware and supervises its manufacture and installation. Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems, and related equipment such as keyboards, modems, and printers. In addition to design and development duties, computer hardware engineers may supervise the manufacture and installation of computers and computer-related equipment The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers. To keep up with technological advances, these engineers must continually keep up with new developments in the field.

The number of computer hardware engineers is relatively small compared with the number of computer-related workers who work with software or computer applications. Computer hardware engineers held about 74,000 jobs in 2002. Almost 40 percent worked in computer and electronic product manufacturing. Almost one-quarter worked in professional, scientific, and technical services firms, many of which provided services to the computer industry. Many of the rest were employed in the telecommunications field.

The best way to find a computer hardware job is to simply type those words into a popular search engine such as Google, Overture or Yahoo and see what comes up on the hundreds of job boards that are now available online. Students looking for part time computer jobs might want to check the program at Kids II provides all kinds of opportunities for budding computer hardware engineers.

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