Okay, let’s tackle this. So Karolyna has 3 years of experience as a Hardware Engineer, which is a relatively short tenure but still a good starting point. Her education from UC San Diego is solid. Location is Chula Vista, California, which is a tech hub. According to national averages, junior Hardware Engineers can start around $80-$100 per hour, but with 3 years of experience, she’s likely in the mid-range. Some online sources suggest $100-$125 per hour for Hardware Engineers with similar experience. Considering the location and her role, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $125.